Student Ambassador Program

The JICUF Student Ambassador Program is a year-long leadership program for undergraduate students at International Christian University (ICU) who are interested in global citizenship, the common good, and active engagement in campus life.

Launched alongside the opening of the Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) Japan Office on the ICU campus in April 2024, the program brings together a small cohort of students who play a central role in advancing JICUF’s mission at ICU. Student Ambassadors serve as a bridge between JICUF and the ICU community, helping to raise awareness of JICUF’s programs while also designing and leading their own initiatives aligned with JICUF’s values.

The program runs on an annual cycle, from April to March, with a new cohort selected each academic year.

Program Overview

Each year, JICUF selects four to six ICU students to serve as Student Ambassadors. The program is designed to be both a leadership development opportunity for students and a meaningful way to contribute to the life of the university. Student Ambassadors work closely with the JICUF Japan Office, which is led by Hideko Matsuyama. While ambassadors receive guidance and support, the program emphasizes student initiative, collaboration, and leadership.

What Student Ambassadors Do

Student Ambassadors take part in a range of activities that support JICUF’s work at ICU and advance its mission of nurturing global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. These activities include:

• Serving as ambassadors for JICUF on campus by sharing information about JICUF programs and opportunities, including SDG Projects, the Othmer Research Fellowship, the Global Citizen Fellowship, the Faculty Grants Program, and other initiatives
• Promoting JICUF opportunities through presentations in classes, student gatherings, campus events, and other forums
• Creating written and digital content, such as posts for the ICU portal and social media, to help raise awareness of JICUF’s work
• Designing, planning, and implementing student-led events and activities that align with JICUF’s mission and contribute to the common good
• Working collaboratively as a team to plan initiatives, share responsibilities, and support one another throughout the year

Each cohort of Student Ambassadors selects an annual theme that guides their activities and events. Themes may address issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, poverty, mental health, or other topics connected to global citizenship and the common good.

Learning and Leadership Development

The Student Ambassador Program is designed as a learning experience as much as a service role. Through the program, students gain practical experience in:

• Leadership and initiative-taking
• Event design, planning, implementation, and evaluation
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Written and digital communication
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Working with a budget and managing projects responsibly 

Ambassadors are encouraged to take ownership of their ideas and to learn through hands-on experience, reflection, and collaboration.

Stipend and Timeframe

Student Ambassadors serve for one academic year, from April through March. Ambassadors receive a stipend of ¥70,000 for each academic term. The stipend is intended to support participation in the program, while the primary focus remains on learning, leadership development, and meaningful engagement with JICUF’s mission.

Eligibility

The JICUF Student Ambassador Program is open to degree-seeking undergraduate students at International Christian University. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a degree-seeking undergraduate student at ICU (including 5-year program students)
• Be enrolled at ICU for the full duration of the program, from April through March
• Not plan to study abroad or take a leave of absence during the program period
• Be in good academic standing; while there is no minimum GPA requirement, academic performance will be considered, and students on academic probation are not eligible
• Demonstrate an interest in JICUF’s mission and a willingness to participate actively in the program throughout the year

ICU is a bilingual university, and JICUF works in both English and Japanese. Bilingual ability is welcomed and considered an asset. Language proficiency will be assessed through the application and interview process rather than through formal test scores.

Application Process

Applications for the JICUF Student Ambassador Program open each year in mid-January and close in late January, for a program start in April. The application process consists of the following stages:

• Online application, in which applicants complete a form that includes questions about their interests, motivation, and availability to participate fully in the program
• Interviews, in which a select group of finalists will be invited to participate as the second round of the selection process

Final selections are expected to be made by mid- to late February, with the program beginning at the start of the academic year in April.