BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — For more than 30 years, Illinois Wesleyan students and faculty have strengthened cultural understanding through the university’s partnership with Technos International College in Tokyo, Japan — honoring students' international engagement and providing travel opportunities.
Formed by past President Minor Myers jr. and Technos founder Kenji Tanaka, the relationship was created to boost cultural awareness and to broaden student horizons. Each year, a senior Titan receives the Technos International Award in recognition of outstanding engagement in international affairs.
The 2024-25 award winner is Nathalie Romero, who graduated in May with a double major in
Environmental Studies and International & Global Studies. She is from New Orleans.
While at IWU, Romero was involved in many registered student organizations, holding positions with the Spanish and Latine Student Association, Student Senate and the Sierra Student Coalition. Some of the most impactful experiences as a student happened while she was in leadership positions in these RSOs, said Romero, when her actions and encouragement inspired peers to step out of their comfort zones.
“It wasn’t just holding these leadership positions that makes ‘impact’ come true, it is how you lead your team, how you communicate with others and actively support your community. Even using your position to raise awareness or expose people to different cultures and experiences creates impact,” she said.
Chances to study abroad in Japan and Chile as a student broadened Romero’s international awareness and understanding, she said, paired with classes taught by Director of International & Global Studies Carmela Ferradáns; Betty Ritchie-Birrer '47 and Ivan Birrer Endowed Professor of Political Science William Munro and Assistant Professor of Sociology Kriti Budhiraja.
Since graduation, Romero has been leading an oral history project to be documented on IWU Digital Commons to celebrate and honor the impact of the Posse Program at Illinois Wesleyan. She hopes to secure a job in Chicago or New Orleans tied to environmental practices and advocacy.
“Receiving this [Technos] recognition only means that putting in the effort to gain knowledge of different cultures, countries’ histories and traditions is well worth it — especially when you have the chance to share it and, hopefully, have one other person gain knowledge,” she said.
In addition to the Technos International Award, several IWU students and a faculty member are selected each year to travel to Tokyo to experience Japanese culture and interact with students at Technos International College.
Director of IWU’s Center for Engaged Learning Deborah Halperin joined Emma Kudelka '27 and Trent Murray '27 last month for the trip to Tokyo for Technos International Week. Halperin said one of the requirements for the program is that no participant has previously traveled to Japan.
“International travel is such a privilege,” said Halperin. “Getting to see a new part of the world was an amazing experience. Technos International Week allowed us to engage with Japanese people every day so it didn’t feel like we were just visiting a new place. We really got to see the daily life of students and the school.”
Kudelka, who is studying political science, said she was ecstatic to be selected to attend the trip, especially as her father is Japanese, as well as her grandmother who recently passed away.
“I know it would’ve meant so much to her to know that I would get to see her home country and get in touch with her culture,” she said. “The trip allowed me to become in-tune with Asian culture, something that has always been a struggle for me as an Asian adoptee who has lived in a predominantly white town all my life.”
A favorite moment for Kudelka was sharing information about Illinois Wesleyan with Japanese students with help from a translator. The group also attended language classes and completed a scavenger hunt around Fuchu City with Technos students. During personal time, the group tasted traditional Japanese cuisine, enjoyed karaoke, visited historic shrines and relaxed at a baseball game.
“Although it sounds cliche, I truly feel that my life has changed from attending the 2025 Technos International Week Program” said Kudelka. “I have never seen myself as a traveller, but after attending this trip, I have a new ambition to travel the world. The trip allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, try new things and meet such a diverse and beautiful group of people along the way. I feel honored to have experienced Japanese culture, cuisine, customs, art and dress, first-hand.”
She added that current global affairs make international connection and broadened perspectives even more vital, and that every IWU student should explore opportunities to study abroad.
Halperin was selected to give a speech at the farewell ceremony. She noted that at one event, faculty and students wrote about their post-graduation dreams and life goals, and it was “no surprise” that all attendees want the same things: peace, health, happiness and to make their families proud.
“I wish all students, staff and faculty could enjoy travel as part of their work,” said Halperin. “Even with just three people participating in Technos, we can share our experience with IWU and promote study abroad, studying a language and appreciating new cultures and ideas. If we are truly committed to global citizenship, then experiences like Technos are not just nice to have — they are critical to the mission of IWU.”
In addition to the award and travel experience for Titans, IWU presents a Prize of Distinction for a student at Technos College. The 2025 recipient is Arisa Hirose, a hotel major at Tokyo Air Travel Hotel College. Hirose was active in Technos global and sister-school activities this past year, including traveling to Oxford in November for a three-week intensive English study program that included activities on campus at Technos sister school Pembroke College, Oxford.