It was sundown in the land of the rising sun, but something else was coming up: graduation caps. For their American-style completion ceremony, students at Humanitec Rehabilitation College in Yokkaichi, Japan, adopted the tradition of the mortarboard toss.

It was a gleeful moment. By taking classes from both Humanitec and Loma Linda professors—and spending the final quarter of their four-year program in residence at LLU—these occupational and physical therapy students received a bachelor’s degree in health science from the LLU School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP).

But besides the obvious—a college degree from a respected American university—what is gained by the collaboration between LLU and Humanitec?

Through Loma Linda, Humanitec students are introduced to a new worldview and lifestyle. The exposure leaves deep impressions. Graduate Mutsumi Miyazaki is a Seventh-day Adventist, so the spiritual environment she and her classmates encountered in Loma Linda felt familiar. But her fellow students were in mostly new territory.

Japanese students typically come from a religious environment where several faiths coexist in a secular society. Their background often includes exposure to Shinto and Buddhist traditions and rituals.

“My family is Buddhist,” says Mayu Sumita, an occupational therapy graduate. “[Through Loma Linda], I was able to learn about God. I was able to learn to express gratitude. I was very happy in going to church.”

About the influence Loma Linda has had on his life, So Miyahara says, “I can’t help being curious about God.”

Etsuko Sakiyama also had her curiosity piqued. “I’m not Christian, but I felt their attitude was wonderful because I saw a hope of God at Loma Linda,” Sakiyama says. “They had essential compassion for others. I was encouraged to have holiness and goodness in my heart, to help others.”

While in Loma Linda, Humanitec students accept an invitation to attend services at the Loma Linda Japanese Church of Seventh-day Adventists and other area churches.

“The students seem curious to see the Christian lifestyle. Some of them are interested in attending church, however, we do not have a good-size church nearby Humanitec,” says Miyazaki, the Adventist student.

In the classroom, the students take about four religion courses, some while still in Japan and others on the Loma Linda campus.

The LLU/Humanitec partnership began in 2000 at the request of Masayuki Ohashi, now chair of the Humanitec board, who was impressed by the University’s work for the good of people.

Rehabilitation education and practices in Japan are modeled after the U.S. pattern, says LLU/Humanitec program director, Keiko Khoo, M.S., M.A., also chair of the speech-language pathology and audiology department in SAHP.

“Japan seems to go through some of the same challenges that we experienced a decade earlier,” Khoo says. “So the exposure to U.S. education gives the students advanced knowledge and preparation.”

LLU also offers more upper division general education courses to balance Humanitec students’ education.

Until recently, Humanitec Rehabilitation College only offered certificates in the health sciences. This year, the school received government authorization to offer the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. But students will still be involved with LLU classes for several years to come.

“Most of all, they value what LLU has to offer, whether it is degrees or experiences,” says Khoo.