Japan visit confirms reputation and highlights future opportunities

When Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Portfolio Manager Business and English Heather Knox and Global Business Partner Dee Gath travelled across Japan this month, their agenda was simple: strengthen relationships through listening and learning.

Over visits to 13 institutions, the pair met with university leaders, international teams and English language staff to discuss student experiences, future opportunities and the changing expectations of Japanese learners.

The conversations reinforced Ara's strong position in one of its most important international markets. Japan is a significant source of Ara’s international learners, with the institute attracting 52 per cent of all Japanese students enrolled across New Zealand's vocational education sector in 2025.

"What stood out was the consistency of the feedback," Knox said. "Our partners spoke very positively about the support their students receive, the quality of teaching and the care shown by our staff throughout the student journey."

Current partnerships span programmes ranging from short-term study tours to 37-week English language pathways, including general English, New Zealand studies, and English paired with volunteering, airline hospitality, health, education and activity-based learning experiences.

Across institutions large and small, universities praised Ara's Japanese-language support, activity programmes and teaching staff, highlighting the difference these services make in helping students settle into life and study in Christchurch.

Knox said the recognition reflected the work of teams across the organisation and the wider support students receive throughout their time in Canterbury.

The visit also highlighted opportunities to expand existing collaborations. Several institutions expressed interest in new programmes while others were keen to explore longer-term study options and broader faculty engagement.

Many were also interested in welcoming more Ara students to Japan through short-term programmes and exchanges.

"For many years these partnerships have created outstanding opportunities for Japanese students to study at Ara. We're equally interested in creating more opportunities for Ara learners to experience Japan, develop global perspectives and build international connections of their own," Knox said.

Beyond formal meetings, the trip provided an opportunity to reconnect with long-standing contacts, meet Ara graduates, visit modern campuses and gain insight into a changing tertiary education landscape.

Despite economic pressures and rising travel costs, institutions remained strongly committed to international education and providing high-quality overseas experiences for their students. Knox said that reinforced the importance of ensuring Ara continues to deliver value for both students and partner institutions.

Conversations also highlighted growing demand for English language development alongside opportunities to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds while studying abroad.

Discussions also offered valuable insight into how student expectations are changing and where institutions can continue to strengthen the overall student experience.

For Gath, the trip reinforced the value of meeting partners face-to-face.

"These relationships have been built over many years. Spending time with our partners in their own environments helps us better understand their priorities and identify new ways we can work together."

For Knox, the strongest takeaway was the regard in which Ara is held across Japan.

"The appreciation for the Ara experience was evident wherever we went. It was a reminder that the work our people do every day has a real impact on students and is recognised by our partners."

Heather Knox and Dee Gath visited 13 partner institutions across Japan:

• Yamanashi Prefectural University 
• Felicia College
• Kagawa University
• Asia University
• Kansai University
• Kyoto Sangyo University
• Oita University
• Oita Kosen
• Kansai Gaidai University
• J.F. Oberlin University
• Teikyo University
• Hirosaki University of Health and Welfare
• Hiroshima Shudo University