Jax State Establishes New Student Exchange Program with University of Toyama

11/13/2025

By Brett Buckner  

It was a trip that defined the course of Ingrid Galinat’s career. Now, Galinat, who serves as Jax State's Director of the International House and Programs, is hoping a similar experience will have the same effect on her students.  

Galinat and Jax State representatives recently signed an agreement with the University of Toyama (UT) to establish an educational student exchange program with the university, which is located in the Japanese prefecture of Toyama.  

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University, Galinat joined the Japanese Exchange Teaching (JET) program from 2000 to 2001, living and working in the town of Kureha, where she taught English at Kureha High School, located in Toyama Prefecture.  

“I had a great experience,” she said. “I was only there for a year, but when I came back, it left such a great impression on me that I decided to pursue a career in international education.”  

In January, Galinat contacted Jerry Talandis through a website for JET alumni. Talandis had remained in Toyama and now works at UT as an English professor.  

“I told him our university was looking for a new partner university,” Galinat said, “Knowing the smaller city structure of Toyama city and me actually living there, I knew this would be a great place to bring our American students to Japan through a university exchange.”  

Talandis connected Galinat with Dr. Tomoko Yoshikawa, director of International Exchange at UT. They had several Zoom calls before Dr. Yoshikawa had a formal visit to Jax State in September and Galinat visited UT in October. The presidents of both universities have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), officially establishing the exchange program between Jax State and UT.  

Plans for the exchange are still in the early stages, and Galinat said it will be open to any Jax State student, particularly those interested in Japanese language and culture.  

"The plan is to take students to Japan hopefully the summer of 2026, but certainly by the summer of 2027," Galinat said.  

Once finalized, it will be a two- to three-week program during which Jax State students can travel to Toyama at a “relatively low cost” to take summer classes at UT. The goal is to send upwards of 10 students to Japan, with one or two UT students coming to Jax State to spend a semester or more on campus.  

“I just know how beautiful that area is,” Galinat said. “I could see our students going over there. I'd love them to have the experience I did. Because it's a smaller city - not as big as Tokyo or Osaka - they really get to see true Japan.”  

In Japan, students will be living in short-term housing located directly on campus. “It's very modern inside,” said Galinat, who was able to tour the housing area. “There’s a dining hall that's maybe a five-minute walk away.”  

The opportunity to visit Japan is truly life-changing. “A lot of our students have never been outside the United States, so it is life-changing to go across the country, to go across the world,” Galinat said. “I’m excited for them to experience a whole different culture and language.”  

Though airfare remains the most significant cost, the program itself will be relatively affordable. “That was one reason we wanted to partner with UT,” Galinat said, “because their exchange program is very affordable.”  

Meet Ingrid Galinat and Sarah Faulkner, Jax State employee and former JET alumna, at the Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, November 18, from 4–5:30 p.m. on the 11th floor of Houston Cole Library to learn more about the University of Toyama and the JET Programme.