Jacob Petersen (‘15), a College of Education and Human Sciences alum and associate professor at Iwate University in Japan, recently returned to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a group of Japanese students for the first year of a new educational and cultural exchange. The visit marks the beginning of an ongoing partnership with a faculty-led study abroad program between the department of Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education and Iwate University.
This past summer, nine CEHS students traveled to Japan through the program. The group, led by professors Elaine Chan, Ted Hamann and Janelle Reeves, associate professor, explored Japanese educational practices and culture, including visits to Tokyo and the historic Chuson-ji Temple.
The idea for the exchange grew from Petersen’s time completing his graduate program in TLTE. While at Nebraska, he worked closely with Chan, his advisor, and remained in touch after graduating, a connection he credits with helping develop the partnership.
At Iwate University, Petersen oversees English courses and supports study abroad opportunities for Iwate students, making the collaboration with TLTE a natural extension of his academic work.
While in Nebraska, the Iwate students attended language and culture classes, met with faculty and explored local landmarks, including experiencing a Husker football game and visiting Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. The program offers Japanese students a firsthand look at U.S. higher education while providing UNL students and faculty the chance to learn from their Japanese peers.
Petersen hopes the exchange program will invite students to be more open-minded and consider other cultures and systems around the world.
“It’s fun to see my students’ reactions when experiencing something new. For them, everything is different,” Petersen said.
The exchange program reflects CEHS’s ongoing commitment to building global connections and fostering cross-cultural learning. The partnership aims to continue with students from each university visiting every other year.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education
Video: CEHS alum Jacob Petersen shares more about his experiences in CEHS and bringing Iwate University students to UNL.
