Midwestern University Faculty Spearheads International Speech-Language Pathology Collaboration

Cindy Krizizke, M.S., CCC-SLP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), College of Health Sciences-Downers Grove (CHS), is leading an ongoing collaboration with Midwestern University SLP students and Kyoto University of Advanced Science (KUAS) faculty and students in Japan. Ms. Krizizke was inspired to start the collaboration after visiting Japan, where she observed the similarities and differences in communication styles and social rules in comparison with the U.S. Following her visit, she reached out to Japan’s Speech and Hearing Association and was put in contact with faculty from KUAS. 

“One of the reasons I wanted to do this was to open the students’ minds and give them that experience of what a speech-language pathologist does in other countries,” Ms. Krizizke said. “This collaboration is just another opportunity to explore diversity and to have that experience working with somebody else from another country. International collaboration will affect how we treat patients and how we provide services to our clients. In the academic area, there may be some evidence-based practices that they are using in Japan that we might not be aware of. A big piece is internationally collaborating to see how they are working with their patients regarding certain diagnoses and research. There are always things we can learn from each other.” 

During the initial virtual meeting, faculty and students from both Universities compared their SLP programs. “In the United States, you earn a bachelor’s degree first, and then you get your master’s degree to become a speech-language pathologist. In Japan, you only need a bachelor’s degree to become a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist,” Ms. Krizizke added. “I also thought it would be valuable to learn what they are doing for their students, and the differences in the job market, as well.” She remarked that in Japan, more speech-language pathologists work in hospitals than in the school system although the need is there. 

Two SLP students, Saya Albonaimi (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25) and Lauren Aniceto (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25) presented during the initial meeting with assistance in preparing the presentation materials by Meredith Connelly (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25) and Anna Ulanski (CHS-Downers Grove SLP ’25). 

“That was my first time presenting to a group of individuals who don't speak English as their first language. It was an interesting experience working with a translator and having to change a lot of things, such as speaking in shorter, simpler sentences,” Saya shared. “It was very informative, and it opened doors to collaborate with people internationally, and I think that's really important. We're going to learn so much from them.”

The Midwestern University students also discussed the number of SLP programs in the United States, the admissions process, and specialized courses including two dysphagia courses, the brain dissection lab, and an autism class. 

“The experience was valuable not just for events like this, but for our future jobs. There’s going to be a patient or a client who doesn't speak our same language and we need to have a translator or interpreter come in. Learning how to interact and get our point across despite the language barrier was really great practice,” Lauren added.

They also talked about the day in the life of an SLP student, daily schedules, clinical rounds where they give presentations, experiences at the Multispecialty Clinic, and Midwestern University’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). The students also described commonalities, such as handling stress and taking time to unwind. Ms. Krizizke remarked, “I felt that just showed just how similar our students are to their students. That’s the number one thing students deal with, and they’re all trying to figure it out.”

Ms. Krizizke added that future plans include setting up further collaborations among the students and potential faculty presentations at an SLP conference in Japan. “We may live somewhere else, but we have a lot of similarities and it's just great to learn from each other,” she said.

The students also expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with international colleagues. “It was such a great experience, and I’m definitely looking forward to speaking to the students again,” Saya reflected. “It also strengthens our cultural competency skills, learning how to be mindful of the cultural differences and networking with other students internationally.”