Soka University of America

Very culturally diverse...love the choices in classes! We appreciate all that they do for the community also!

Soka University of American has canceled the 19th International Festival on Saturday, May 2, 2020 due to the recent Pandemic of Covid-19. There is no case of test positive on campus and among faculty, student and staff until today thanks for the lock down of the campus and social distancing. Classes are conducted online since March 20.

We shall hold the 19th International Festival Saturday, May 1, 2021.

I am a freshman at Soka University of America. SUA was my first choice when applying to college, and it did not fail me as I really enjoy being a part of this diverse community. I think that SUA is a great school for international students like me because it helps me feel included and cared for. SUA is a small school, but what it has to offer its students really wowed me: beautiful campus, excellent facility, great professors, and friendly staff. I believe I made the right choice, and I am willing to let more people know about this wonderful school.

I am so thankful for the very supportive environment for students at SUA!
SUA provides all of us with multiple types of scholarships, including income-based and academic-based. My parents in Japan were so scared of me studying in the U.S. because study abroad costs A LOT in general. However, Soka's financial support enables me to study in this small but beautiful campus in California.
Besides, 40% of students come from outside the U.S. The diversity of students makes Soka distinctively unique from other universities in America. This diverse environment often notices us that it is extremely crucial to pay respect to all the races, cultures, religions etc. Soka is such a global society; we sometimes face obstacles that today's globalized world also faces. I truly feel that SUA's unique environment allows me to be " a global citizen who lives a contributive life", as SUA mission statement goes. We cannot be indifferent to others' sufferings on campus because we have only 400 students and know each other. SUA has equipped me with compassion for people's sufferings and practical skills to resolve global issues and genuinely contribute to establishing a peaceful society.

Personally, I'm not SGI so I had no idea what this school was before finding it randomly on a google search. However, the more I learned about it, the more I realized it was the school for me. It's really small, which is nice, and I'm by no means a party person, so the general lack of nightlife is good for me. There are some dorm parties, but I don't feel pressured to go to them nor do I feel like I am lacking out on anything. SUA is a place that demands students to be involved in the processes of school life, so if there is ever something wrong with it, we are able to rise up and demand change. Larger schools do not give students such a luxury, I wouldn't think, and it's easy to get in direct contact to school officials. It offers a lot of financial aid and I feel like it is helping me learn more about the world in ways I wouldn't have imagined before. The courses are really insightful and students sometimes have a say in what courses come to the university. It's obviously not a perfect school, but I would definitely choose it again if I had the option. I don't feel overwhelmed and I feel like my voice matters since it's such a close knit campus.

Soka University is a hidden gem! Soka really strikes to give back to the community.

This school is really something special. I am currently a student of the 2022 class and I happened to stumble across it in a google search. I hadn't heard anything about it, as it's a super small school AND it's fairly new (established in 2001). It's a really beautiful campus and I've really enjoyed being at this school so far. Of course, since it's only 400-or-so students, it definitely feels small, but not stifling. I feel like my perspective of the world has broadened by being here, mostly because there are so many international students. This place is especially good for if you want connections all over the world and to learn about a lot of world customs, values, histories, and so forth. Also the financial aid is really good because we have a lot of donors. With so many people believing in such a small school, it makes me think we're really doing something right. The location is a little bit boring (the city is pretty suburban), but we have a shuttle service that runs 7 days a week and is free, so it's pretty easy to get off campus without a car. Very happy to have chosen this school. :)) And I'm getting a lot of my friends to apply. Hahaha.

Soka University of America makes post-secondary education relatively more affordable through their generous financial aid.
As a current student at the school, I have enjoyed access to the different facilities, such as the pool and the gym and courses that are taught in small classes.
The small campus enabled me to meet many people from all over the world from whom I have learned a lot.
The faculty and staff are also very dedicated to the student's overall learning experience.

SUA is famous for not only the beautiful campus but also its consistent effort in assisting students from all different backgrounds to pursue higher education. The focus of "fostering a steady stream of global citizens" allows for a diverse curriculum in which students are free to design schedules that best cater their interests. The professors are also very helpful in guiding and inspiring students to find their own interests and respect each and every individual opinion and belief. The encouraging and welcoming environment here is suitable for those who desire to explore themselves and the world.

Upon meeting an educator who is an alumnus of SUA in Japan, I started studying English. Since I was in a rural area from a poor family, I never thought it would be possible to go abroad. Nonetheless, after studying hard, I was able to obtain a full-tuition scholarship from SUA and now I study with great friends from over 45 countries around the world on an extremely beautiful campus in California, USA.

I am currently a second year at Soka University of America. During my college search, I had five main priorities: good financial aid, classes that fit my interest in International Studies, a small campus, no Greek life, and a study abroad program. If you are looking for these things and more, this is definitely the place to go. I am receiving a generous amount of financial aid, which is what allows me to attend this school. 100% of students get financial aid, and many of the students I know are paying much, much less than what most students pay for a 4-year private school. The class sizes are very small (my biggest class so far has been 30 people, although most of my classes are half the size). The most attractive part about SUA is the mandatory and free study abroad. It's always been a dream to travel and study abroad, but it's usually quite expensive for a lot of people. Here, we don't have to pay anything and we get to travel for about 4-5 months and learn the language. That was what sold me on the school. Its small size might be deceiving, but it's actually quite competitive, but the best choice I've made in terms of my education. The dorms are especially a plus! Having a private bathroom is important to me (as opposed to a community bathroom shared by a floor of people) so I feel like SUA values my well-being and privacy. Kind of a specific thing that stands out, but still just another thing that makes me like SUA even more.

I started studying English after meeting a teacher who is an SUA alumnus in Japan. Since I am from a poor family in a rural area, I never thought that going abroad would be possible. However, after I studied hard, I was able to get a full-tuition scholarship from SUA and now I am studying with great friends from more than 45 countries in the world at an extremely beautiful campus in California, US. In the future, I want to contribute to the culture of peace by helping children in the world as a teacher.

I am currently enrolled in Soka University of America's MA program in Educational Leadership and Societal Change. The focus of this program is on fostering capable leaders with the skills and values needed to address challenges in the field of education that our globalized world will face in the 21st century and beyond. The philosophy of Soka Education, is centered arond student-mentor interaction and on the idea of nurturing each individual so that they may reach their full potential and create value in their lives.

At Soka's campus, the mission of the school can be seen in full effect. Students in the undergraduate BA program come from around the world, and they all receive generous financial aid packages without which many of them could not afford a college education. The campus community is small, with just over 450 undergraduate students, and accordingly provides each student with a great deal of individual attention and resources. Soka has an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which means that for every eight members of the student body there is a faculty member. Class sizes average just 12 students, and they're typically held in a seminar-style discussion-based format, which encourages dialog and an in-depth critical analysis of the material at hand. Undergrad students here also go on a mandatory study abroad semester, most commonly in their third year of studies. After completing language instruction up to 300-level intermediate classes, students put their newfound skills into practice by spending almost half a year in a country where their target language is spoken.

These are among the many ways in which Soka University of America exemplifies its focus on global citizenship and value creation. The campus community is tight-knit and has a true feeling of family. Students don't have to share their personal spaces with more than one other roommate in their whole time here, as rooms never exceed double occupancy (for entering first-years); upperclassmen live in suite-style rooms with a private bedroom and a bathroom shared between two suite-mates. Meals and the use of laundry machines are included in room & board. In addition, for families that earn less than $60,000 per year, tuition is waved via scholarships made possible by the efforts of generous donors from around the world. I can confidently recommend Soka University of America to anyone looking to broaden their understanding of the global world we all live in.

As a student, I appreciate the education and the environment at Soka so much, and I think one of the best things at Soka is the Study Abroad requirement. Every student has to pick a foreign language, study for 2 years on campus, and study abroad for half a year. I just finished the requirement, and studying Spanish and actually living in a Spanish speaking country was more than amazing. And what's more, we don't have to pay extra for the study abroad- it's all covered by tuition. If you're from a family whose income is $60,000 or below, you don't even have to pay tuition at all for 4 years. I'm really glad to choose this college.

I am currently a senior and an international student. I decided to come to Soka because Soka has students from many countries and many cultural backgrounds. I was not originally interested in studying aboard, but Soka made me think about going abroad and widening my viewpoints. When I came to Soka, I faced a lot of language barriars. But students at Soka are really friendly and are used to people from different countries. I haven't seen the gap between international students and domestic students here while other colleges have a clear gap and wall each other. every student interacts each other regardless of where you are from.
And I feel Soka is pretty student-oriented. Soka offers a lot of oppotunies to run organization, club, group, and these are usually with Soka staff or faculty aid and support. So I think if you are interested in leadership and global mindsets, Soka is for you. If you are a skeptical person and can't believe these excellent reviews about Soka, I would say one of weak points about Soka is the smallness. Because Soka is really small and has only 450 students, where we know each other pretty much well, you might not feel personal spaces that much. You always have chances to see people, that is the beauty of Soka, but when you are depressed by something and want to be isolated for a while, it is hard to cut the soka community completely unless you have a car and go out or cook on your own every single meal.

I am currently a fourth year student at Soka University of America, and have just returned from my study abroad program in Japan. While I could simply write that my experience growing and learning at this school has been life-changing, leaving it at that would be incomplete. More than just exposing me to new perspectives, ideas, and paradigms, Soka University has provided me the opportunity to create value both in my life and the world by learning firsthand about some of the most pressing issues facing society today.

Learning at Soka is not limited to class lectures—which constitute only a portion of the pedagogy at Soka—but instead permeates the environment and school culture here. Class sizes are small, typically 12 students and almost never more than 18, which means that students can engage in meaningful dialog in every session, much like the teaching style used by Socrates millennia ago. In fact, classrooms are often arranged with tables in a circle, encouraging students and faculty to discuss ideas and concepts freely. Professors' offices are always located near or even adjacent to classrooms, facilitating a strong student–mentor interaction that provides opportunities for individualized teaching not possible at institutions with larger student-to-faculty ratios (at Soka, it's 8:1).

My experience abroad was made possible by the efforts of Soka to ensure that each student gains personal experience of the global world we live in today. All students here are in fact required to take at least two years' worth of language classes, and then to study abroad for a semester in country where their target language is spoken. Living in another country far from home and constantly speaking a different language can be challenging, but the preparation provided by my language professors, and just as importantly, from my interactions with friends at Soka, meant that I could fully appreciate and grow from the experience while making connections with people in another part of the world.

I am glad to be studying at a university that upholds its mission and values on a daily basis, not just through classes but through an environment meant to nurture every facet of every individual. I know that what I'm learning at Soka will prepare me for the world of the 21st century.

I am a second year at Soka University. My experience here, so far, has been very fulfilling. Because the school is so diverse, with students from all over the world, I get to learn about different cultures and about the different things that are occurring around the world. The school really works to accommodate the students and their needs. Unlike universities which have over thousands of students, Soka creates an environment that makes it easier for students to have access to their professors. The classrooms are near the professor offices so unanswered questions can be answered. The classrooms are also an average of 12 students, making it easier for students to participate in discussions.

I am currently a third-year student at Soka University and really appreciate this diverse environment and people here. Soka is ranked as #2 Ethnic Diversity among the U.S. Liberal Arts colleges this year (2018), and students from over 45 countries live and study on campus together. In addition to the cultural diversity, ALL students are required to study abroad in non-English speaking countries in their 3rd year. The experience of jumping into a new culture widens students’ perspectives and gives them real-life experiences of true cultural understanding they cannot learn only from textbooks or exams. Soka is not just a place to acquire knowledge but grow as a human being and global leader.
Soka also excels in its financial aid- all students with under $60,000 of family income receive full tuition scholarship and, last year (2017), 100% of students received some form of financial aid. Thanks to the support, many students who cannot attend other colleges yet eager to study are studying at Soka.
The advantage of a small size college (only 450 students) must be the firm connection of people here. 8:1 student/faculty ratio encourages students to often visit professors’ office to ask questions/ have discussions, which is very rare to see in other larger colleges. Students, faculty and staff are always supportive and close to each other as we call ourselves “Soka Family.”
If you are in search of a college for yourself, your children or grandchildren… I strongly recommend coming see our beautiful campus and people to learn more about Soka. You will love it!

It's been more than a year since I came to Soka! I have no regret that I chose this university. One thing I love about Soka is that there is a close relationship between students and faculties. Because our university is really small, I have more opportunities to interact with faculties. When I struggled with understanding class materials or assignments, they often encouraged me to go to office hours where they sincerely answered my questions and gave clear explanations. Also, many students here are passionate about extracurricular activities including school club activities and volunteering. We have several schools events where you see a lot of students performances. I also enjoy myself in one of the dance clubs at Soka! People here in general are very friendly. I'm so happy to get to know a lot of amazing people here!

SUA offers students an immense amount of opportunities for learning, discussion, and cultural immersion. In addition to its small class sizes and mandatory study abroad, SUA provides students with opportunities for on-campus employment and to connect with, and in some cases fund, internships both domestically and abroad. If there is one thing that I can say SUA gives every student it is experience, whether that be an amazing classroom experience, tight knit community, or connections that allow students to pursue their interests.

I'm a second-year student at Soka University. SOKA has a wonderful diversity. Students here come from more than 40 different countries. You can learn about different cultures, values, and religions through class discussions and just daily conversations. It is really fascinating to listen to other countries' food cultures from friends in the cafeteria. In addition, SOKA gives many opportunities that help students gain experiences and new perspectives. For example, B2B program gives students opportunities to go to companies in LA and to understand positive and negative aspects of business and social entrepreneurs. Moreover, SOKA also gives the UN tour for free so that students can learn how the UN works for peace in NY and build their perspectives on future careers

I have visited Soka for many events over the past few years. I have seen events in the great Performing Arts Center and events presented in grassy common areas. Soka is always gracious and inviting to the local community.. Also, because of Soka's commitment in providing events to all, the pricing for seating is low, and parking is free. My next event to attend is this Sunday.

If you enter this school, you will go through a lot of cultural experiences. Because many students came from abroad, you can eat different types of local food of each students, see how they live and know how they think. There are only 450 students on campus, so everyone knows each other. It is really safe and fun. This is a boarding school, so you can spend time together with your friends after the school ends.

I can say that coming to Soka is one of the biggest success in my life. Almost one year passed since I came to Soka last year. The reason why I have never gotten homesick for my family back in home is that my beloved friends I met here allow me to put myself at ease all the time. Living in a small community really opens my views and prepares for me to learn from each other outside the classroom. In that sense, everywhere at Soka can be a precious learning space. The human-centered education and abundant nature surrounding Soka embodies one of the university principles: "Foster leaders for the creative coexistence of nature and humanity." To summarize, I think Soka is really a university for everyone! If you are interested, please visit our wonderful campus!:)

I'm a first-year student at Soka and my experience at Soka has been great so far. Soka is a four-year liberal arts college consisting of four concentrations- Humanities, International Studies, Environmental Studies and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The college is very diverse having students from 45 different countries of the world and from different states of United States. The interdisciplinary education and diverse community of Soka provide students with an ability to view things from a broader perspective.
Its student to faculty ratio of 8:1 facilitates students to discuss their doubts with faculty members within and outside the classrooms. Students also get several opportunities such as Alternative Spring Break, B2B (Bridge to Business) etc, that help them apply their knowledge in the real world situations and learn new things in the process.
What I particularly like about Soka is its unique program called Learning Cluster that takes place during the month of January. A Learning Cluster is a research seminar where students work in teams with faculty facilitators to investigate a specific question. It helps in bridging theory and practice, and evoke an educated outcome. Apart from its great education, Soka is aesthetically gifted with a beautiful campus and natural beauty of the surrounding canyon. It's a great place to visit and take a walk!
If you are looking for a good education with other different opportunities, Soka is the college for you.

Soka University of America is an outstanding school with world-renowned faculty, small class-sizes, modern facilities, and extraordinary financial aid. Soka University is only 16 years old but has rapidly climbed the ranks of national college rankings and is now among the Top 40 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US. SUA's large endowment allows for large research grants available to both students and faculty as well as great research facilities, such as the Ikeda Library. SUA with its small class-sizes, small faculty-student ratio, faculty tenures, great research facilities, and research grants is an academic heaven for most students.

I am currently a 2nd year student who is studying at this wonderful institution. It was a blessing to have found SUA through Google which is pretty extraordinary; a 15 year-old institution that had already made the first page when you typed and searched for a small liberal-arts campus in the United States of America. The diversity that SUA radiates is also a great strength this campus has to offer, students of different backgrounds all converge here where each has the ability to learn a great deal about others. The education I received has also been meaningful, I am able to understand how each topic intersects with the other even though they may be vastly different at first glance. I would like to think that this campus is bridging the gap between the arts and sciences; each complements the other and one cannot be studied without understanding an overall view of things.

The school also offers many programs for students to unwind after their academics. These include our amazing sports complex and the various clubs and events the Student Affairs sets up for us. Over at SUA, there is nothing short of lively when describing this campus. I would whole heartedly recommend others to come and experience this campus at least once.

SUA is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Of course it has its problems, issues, etc but that is because it's a university. However, I have never felt safe the way i feel at Soka, and I have never felt loved the way I do here. The community that Soka houses is a special and unique one that is difficult to find elsewhere.

I am currently a first-year student at SUA and so far, I love it! The student body is diverse, and as a third-culture kid, I really fit in here. The other students are just as passionate as I am about various topics, from poetry to social justice. The academics are challenging, and most students are dedicated to their classes, so the learning environment is really productive. SUA is a good fit for students who are self-motivated and who want to pursue a variety of topics. Also, although it seems superficial, we have really nice residence halls and other facilities; we get private bathrooms, free laundry, free printing, and pretty good food.

I love Soka so much!!! First of all, students here are awesome. Based on the mission statement " to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contribute life", Every single student tries to figure out what their missions are and how they are able to achieve it. I enjoy having time with them and improving myself. I also like the campus here. I can go to gym every day for a routine and can go to eat my favorite food in cafeteria. Since the campus is surrounded by beautiful forests, I can get relaxed all the time. The environment that surrounds me is perfect. If you want to be a real global citizen, Soka is going to be the best place for you!!!

Overall, I really appreciate being here as a student.
I was born to a bilingual family and have grown up in more than two different cultures. Soka is the place where I can cultivate my international background more and obtain a lot of new viewpoints from Soka's students who are from more than 40 countries. My future dream is to support people throughout the world going beyond the two countries. To achieve the goal, I have known many more perspectives and values in the world by communicating with people worldwide. Acquiring the knowledge and various perspectives, I believe I will be able to contribute to solving various problems caused by a cultural gap. I came here to seek liberal arts education at Soka University of America, where students with multifarious values all over the world gather. Through interacting each student at SUA, I sometimes face troubles caused by differences in ways of thinking, customs, and culture; however, I would like treasure each encounter so that I can train myself to find the causes and solutions to each trouble.
Through liberal arts, I receive diverse viewpoints through learning a latitudinous culture, obtain a skill to see from various viewpoints and acquire ability in telling and convincing others of my values. SUA is a boarding university, where I am in international surrounding at all hours. As I not only take lessons together but stay with students across the globe, I see parts of the country’s culture or custom. By recognizing and receiving these, I believe based materials enable me to more assimilate values, custom, culture, lifestyle, and religion in other countries are made.

Another great point of Soka is financial aids. Thanks to a number of donors, our students can study without considering each of our financial issues, Although I am personally not so suffering from my family financial issue, I have heard from some of my friends that they couldn't come here without their financial aids. Almost every student at Soka can receive scholarship more or less, which is so great. Our university president, Danny Habuki, says that he doesn't want students at Soka to worry about money. So the cafeteria at Soka is all you can eat, buffet style, we can print out as much as we want, all of the students basically live in the same residential halls, facility service is always available for free... SUA is designed not to pay extra money. Everything is including the tuition so that students here don't need to care about the cost. Even though I have been here only for a year, I am already glad to come here.

Overall I am grateful to have the opportunity to come to soka. I am a first generation immigrant and child of working class parents who lived paycheck to paycheck. I often wondered if I would be able to afford college, but when I got accepted to soka I was offered a financial aid package offered to all students with a family income lower than $70k, which paid for my entire tuition fees. Soka is so generous and the resources available on this campus are among the best in the country. We have such easy access to all of our professors, as our class size exceed no more than 15 students. We also have a mandatory (unless you are undocumented or have a disability/extenuating circumstances) study abroad policy in which students learn a language for 2 years and then go abroad to a country that speaks that language. This facilitates linguistic and cultural immersion that ultimately intends to make us more globally aware and social justice-oriented. However, as an activist and Trans woman of color, despite being in a liberal arts campus, I found that many students were not aware of how deeply entrenched social injustice is in our daily life. Many students would speak on joining the U.N. and going to Africa to help end poverty and world hunger, but wouldnt sign a petition to allow undocumented students to enroll. They would talk about ikeda-sensei and the importance of education, but refuse to make this campus a sanctuary campus so that undocumented immigrants could feel safe. I was very disappointed to receive so much backlash for causes I would initiate, such as gender neutral bathrooms, from a school that proclaims to be liberal. If you are looking to grow in your activism, I would suggest elsewhere with a stronger community of domestic/working class/ students of color who are devoted to liberation and fighting oppression. Any attempt to call out BS would be shut down because we should be grateful for being here, or because we need to be nice to each other and have "dialogue," which basically came down to a lot of tone policing and microaggressions. It was difficult to get people to care about stuff that didnt affect them directly.

I am a current 4th-year student at Soka and I absolutely appreciate the opportunity to study here. We have beautiful campus, small student body and nice staff. What's more the school is really generous in terms of financial aid. Students are taken really good care of and the school tries it best to provide the best experience possible for us.

This school gives you a lot of opportunities like study abroad and meet different people around the world.

Studying at Soka University has been a truly life-changing experience. Soka University of America is a small (approx. 450 students) liberal arts college founded upon Buddhist principles of pacifism, sanctity of life, and environmental stewardship. Soka's location is on a hill surrounded by a county natural reserve, canyons and a residential community in the sunny South Orange County, California. Even though Soka's campus presents unparalleled architectural mastery and splendid views of nearby canyons, it's biggest strength lies in academics. Soka's progressive and inclusive curriculum has allowed Soka University to rise rapidly (over past 15 years) among thousands of American liberal arts colleges and place itself as one of the TOP 50 Liberal Arts Colleges in the US. Soka University has achieved national recognition due to strong emphasis of its values, such as global citizenship, diversity, financial aid, and rigor. The faculty members become students' mentors; they are acclaimed in their fields and always available to students. Soka University mandates all of its students to study abroad and to join hands-on learning periods. Soka has great modern facilities, and each student has more than 100 square ft. of personal space.

I am a 2nd year student at Soka, and so far, I really love this school! As an international student, I had a lot of concerns before I came here. However, these concerns disappeared when I met people here. Everyone is so kind and cares us sincerely. Soka is like my 2nd home!!! We have only 450 students here, so we know each other well, and the small class size (usually 10-12 students) is a good environment for learning! Everyone listens to and treats my opinion seriously, which I could not experience when I was in high school. Professors are also wonderful, and they try to connect with students, this attitude makes me easy to ask questions and to talk with them to deepen my understanding of the topic in the class. Also, students can join several club activities. Students, and we enjoy our campus lives at Soka. I will do my best to make these four years valuable!!!

I am a currently a second year student at Soka, and I really love this school!! This school has a very small class size, and I think this is the best environment for learning! Each professor knows my name and face, and if I have any questions regarding class materials or my paper, I can just go to my professors’ offices and talk with them. The class is based on discussion, and each student has an equal chance to share opinions! Students also have to learn one foreign language, and I started to learn French since I came here. A third year student has to go to study abroad for one semester, and I am really excited to go to France next year! If you want to experience study abroad, SUA is a great option! I am looking forward to learning more and enjoying next two years here at SUA.

I can't say enough about SUA, their professors and their staff.

Our niece graduated this year and says she cannot express in words how much SUA has changed her life.

Those amazing changes are evident. Jaw-dropping for me is that she graduated with $1500 in student loans. That's right, $1500.

Soka finds the most promising youth from every corner of the world, brings them together at their incredibly diverse and stunningly beautiful Southern California campus, and then fosters their unique gifts preparing them to truly live contributive lives. It is a most impressive academic institution of higher learning that is changing the world for the better!

What could be better than a 15-year-old school making it to the top 50 liberal arts colleges in the country according to US News and World Report? Small class sizes; open access to faculty and administrators; and free tuition for families with less than $60K income. Beautiful campus.

We took a friend on a tour there and had lunch in the Bistro (dining hall). During the course of our meal, I introduced our friend to Danny Habuki, the president of the university. Afterward, he asked< "Who was that person?" When I told him that he was the president, he said, "During four years at my college, the only time I saw the president was at graduation."

Liberal arts education here has helped me look at the world from many different points of view. I have also developed critical and creative thinking and communication skills, which are necessary for any kind of job. In addition, because of the diversity we have here and the small student body, I have met and worked with people of different race, nationality, and culture and learn from each other. I have made friendships beyond boarders. SUA has really helped me become more open-minded, courageous, and kind, which I believe, together with the knowledge I gain here, will help me create value and make positive changes in the world.

I am currently a first year student here at Soka and I am absolutely enjoying my new chapter as a college student. I knew Soka would let me learn about myself where other school wouldn't. I want to find what I am truly
passionate about through going to a Liberal Arts school and exploring myself. It has only been 4 months since I moved in and started my class, but what I want to do after I graduate is already molding together and I am excited how much I'm going to grow in the coming 4 years.

Before I came to Soka University of America, I was a person who is very not confident of myself. I had a hard time reaching out to my classmates and talking to them. I felt very comfortable being alone because I did not have to think about how to interact with other people and how they would judge me based on my actions. But after coming to this wonderful school, I became a totally different person. I feel very confident and like to be around people. I feel the caring and warmth from my classmates and upperclassmen. Whenever anyone on campus has a very tough time in his or her life, people will give him/her support. This school is small, so everyone knows each other well. Everyone is close to each other. Thanks to Soka, I have the opportunity to broaden my view and interact with people from all around the world.

My mother was a pioneer woman in the field of chemistry and education. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr and in 1944 was the first woman to earn a PhD from Harvard University in field of chemistry. When she died my father and I decided to create a scholarship in her name. The logical choice would have been to endow it at either Harvard or Bryn Mawr. Coinciding with her passing my cousin (my mom’s favorite niece) left a position at Harvard University to teach at Soka University. Soka was a fledgling institution that held great promise. Founded on Buddhist ideals, it began with a great founding faculty, a curriculum that embraced global perspectives, and an ethos of rigorous course work. The scholarship to Soka was one of the best decisions we ever made. The university quickly flourished, received accreditation and began sending its graduates to top tier universities for graduate studies. Today one of my greatest joys is attending Soka University’s graduation and watching my mother’s scholarship recipient cross the stage – always a woman of whom my mother would be proud.

From the moment you step foot on the campus of Soka University you know you have arrived someplace very special. Not only is the campus gorgeous and well thought out, but everyone you encounter-- staff and students alike, are happy and inbuded with a sense of purpose and mission. The university pulses with the underlying tenets of peace, culture and education, seeking to produce capable people who will not only excel in their fields of study but will contribute to the world at large while doing so. And by making it so that every qualified student can attend without it being a financial hardship on themselves and/or their families, Soka University has quickly proven itself to be an educational institution that many other universities will undoubtedly seek to model themselves after.

My husband and I are committed to making a difference in the World. For that reason, we have become aware of Soka University and their Mission to create the next generation of Global citizens who are committed to World Peace, Humanism and the Environment. After volunteering to raise money for the scholarship fund. and looking deeper into Soka University, we have set up our own scholarship fund and created our legacy for the World. The University is not only highly ranked for academics, but also a unique environment where students can thrive, grow and connect in a beautiful, peaceful environment, and define their purpose for their own lives as Global citizens.

Soka offers opportunities not available at larger colleges. My child has strong relationships with all the faculty and students. She has already traveled extensively and is beginning to fine tune her career goals as a result of her varied experiences.

I believe education is the best way to guide people to the right direction. I am happy Soka is able to help others with financial difficulties receive such an amazing and humanistic education.

SOKA University is run by a top notch administration that cares for the students success both inside and out. The campus is BEAUTIFUL and it exudes a sense of a higher purpose, both academically and as a person. If you want the world to unite and become a peaceful place to raise your children from any background, then this is the place to begin the journey and create the reality.

Thank you SOKA for allowing me to share some of my time with you.

I had a meeting at Soka University of America recently and was amazed at the careful attention to all aspects of scholarship that make a great institution. I was moved by the welcoming architecture that fit so beautifully with the natural landscape of the region. I spoke to students whose eyes sparkled as they discussed their experiences at Soka. I met administrators who were so passionate about the goals of the institution that they inspired me into action. I ate at the dining hall and sat next to students who were dining with the head of the university. Alumni joined them at the table and introduced their babies to the students and the administrators. A few students stood up and announced their solidarity with their black brothers and sisters and informed everyone of an event later that day. There was such love, knowledge, compassion, activism and humility that pulsated throughout the soul of Soka University of America that I am constantly checking the jobs website to see how I can be part of this amazing community. These are some of the luckiest students in the world!

Volunteering at Soka is like meeting up with new friends every time and also getting to enjoy a 1st class show! Soka seems to attract the nicest people to work in the volunteer roles. The venue is very state-of-the-art and the staff is very helpful and friendly. I highly recommend it to anyone with a little extra time on their hands.

As a graduate from Soka University of America, I have nothing but deep appreciation for its existence and the everlasting influence it has had on my life. Prior to my matriculation to Soka, I attended a premier undergraduate business school in New York, but found the curriculum lacking philosophical depth and the flexibility to allow me to learn the inter-dependencies of all fields and effect on society's well-being. Through my education at Soka, I was able to expand my perspective to truly understand my personal responsibility to contribute to a better tomorrow as a global citizen. From financial aid to the mandatory semester abroad, Soka is focused on fostering and supporting each student in their journey to realize their full potential. I've come full-circle and am currently working in a leading consulting firm where my humanistic qualities, creative approach, and high level of communication and analysis is considered a tremendous asset in the company. I attribute my success to the amazing liberal arts education I received through Soka University of America.

I am personally acquainted with the folks who administer this small liberal arts college, and know several of its graduates. It is amazing to find such an idealistic institution in our midst. Check it out! You may be amazed and inspired. -Steve MacDonald, San Francisco

Soka University is such a great university located in Aliso Viejo, CA. In addition to the great environment for study, the student body is very diverse, and we can learn various cultures and different ways of thinkings from interactions with my fellow friends! Students come from more than 30 different countries and territories. Also, last May, new Performing Arts Center opened and every week we have concert and performance by professional musicians! Of course it is open to community member, please visit our campus for the concert, and if you really like it, you should come visit Soka University and look around the beautiful campus.