Soka University

Soka University has a great study abroad program! Every students are required to take one of Chinese, Spanish, French, and Japanese. When they become junior, they will go abroad for a semester and utilize their and develop their language skills! It is such a great opportunity to get to know the world. more

I am currently a sophomore at soka and loving this school so much so far. One of the greatest things about soka is the opportunity to go abroad and experience many different aspects of the world. For the winter block, we have Learning Cluster in which students create classes based on their passion and interest. Our school offers grant to help our reserch. I was really fortunate to go to India this winter for my Learning Cluster. Our Learning Cluster group conducted a reserch and interview on "Tibetan poeple's struggle for Identity" in Dharamsala, India where the Tibetan exile community is located. It was such a great opportunity to interact with local people there and have great dialogue with them. I was able to do successful reserch on how Tibetan people preserve their identity and move forward for their future. We also have a unique study abroad program which requires all students to go study abroad for 1 semester in junior year. SOKA offers 4 languages, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and French. I am going to Beijing, China next semester. I am very excited for my study abroad next year. Just like these two opportunities, SOKA provides many great curriculums that broaden my perspectives. more

I am a current junior at SUA pursuing a degree in BA Liberal Arts. Prior to declaring my concentration in Humanities and even afterwards, I've taken many classes related to concentrations other than humanities. This continues to be, for me, a truly enriching experience since I prefer learning over specialization. Since SUA receives no federal assistance and is instead run on donations received by benefactors, it has the freedom to structure its curriculum on the learner centered approach that is the guiding principle of Soka education. Other than academics, students are encouraged to take classes in creative arts such as visual arts, ceramics,music and dance. The new Performing arts center recently inaugurated on campus has 5 dressing rooms, a dance studio and two rehearsal rooms for student performers. These creative classes start all the way from beginner to advanced levels. The foreign language program at SUA is I believe, an effective means of understanding foreign cultures. Juniors are required to study abroad in a country that speaks the language of their choice at SUA for a semester. There are four language offerings at SUA- Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and French. Although, it is required of every student to choose a concentration to graduate with in their senior year, they can, if they wish do a double concentration that shall go on their transcript. Career options post-SUA are diverse. The four concentrations viz Humanities, Social and behavioral sciences, Environmental science and International relations open up a wide field of careers and higher study options to SUA graduates in BA liberal arts. more

One of the greatest things about this school is the campus. When my friends came to visit me, they said that it was as if I was "studying in paradise." Because it's a new school, it has new facilities, the most updated technology, and the most beautiful architecture. Another plus is the attention each student receives. The problem with lots of colleges, especially large ones, is the lack of attention, how each student is a number. But here, the student professor ratio is really small so you can learn as much as you want from that one professor you love. The study abroad program is required here, so everyone gets the chance to go to a different country for a whole semester, all included in the tuition. I am absolutely certain that I have chosen the best college for me. Pros: campus, dormitories, small community, student attentio Cons: small community more

SUA's 103-acre campus in Aliso Viejo, CA opened in 2001 and the university received WASC accreditation in 2005. About half of the students are from the US and half are from over 30 other countries. Everyone studies a non-native language, and everyone studies abroad for a semester during their junior year. Study abroad is included in the tuition and is required for graduation. SUA offers free tuition to admitted students whose annual family income is $60,000 or less. Pros: 9:1 student/faculty ratio, everyone studies abroad Cons: Only 435 students right now, growing to about 1000 more