Soka University of America (SUA) in Aliso Viejo, CA - Art Galleries, Colleges & Universities, Live Theater Plays, Musicals & More,

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Soka University of America (SUA)
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Toll Free Number: (888) 600-SOKA
Phone Number: (949) 480-4000
Web Address: www.soka.edu

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Soka University is a private four-year liberal arts college and graduate school in Aliso Viejo, CA.
Soka University of America is a private four-year liberal arts college and graduate school with an 8:1 student/faculty ratio. Study abroad is included in undergraduate tuition. Full tuition scholarships for admitted students whose annual earned family income is $60,000 or less. SUA is ranked in the top 25 National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report's 2019 "Best Colleges". The 1000-seat Soka Performing Arts Center offers a wide variety of cultural opportunities to the community. performingarts.soka.edu. Founders Hall Art Gallery is open M-F from 9 am - 5 pm and admission is free.

Keywords: Soka University,college,best,California,study abroad,free tuition, liberal arts, performing arts center, jazz, Orange County, small class, private, scholarship, art, gallery, wedding sites

Customer Reviews for Soka University of America (SUA)

New House on 10/17/2019 2:30:46 PM

After meeting with a SUA alumnus educator in Japan, I started studying English. Since I was from a poor rural family, I never thought it would be possible to go abroad. However, after studying hard, I was able to get a full-tuition scholarship from SUA and now I'm studying at an extremely beautiful campus in California with great friends from over 45 countries around the world.

Syrix on 10/21/2019 5:15:13 PM

SUA is a pretty strange fine, but it's really an amazing school. I am currently a sophomore and I feel like I'm getting so much value out of my money. I was worried I wouldn't be able to afford it, even as a domestic student (note: tuition/room and board for in-state, out-state, and international is the same!) but the donors are very generous and give a lot of financial aid. It's kind of like a microcosm of the world, with so much diversity. Lots of opportunities to be had here. 10/10

Kohaku on 1/22/2020 2:53:04 PM

Soka is a very supportive environment in terms of academics and extracurricular activities. Without financial support, I wouldn't have come to and study in the U.S. They have given us many opportunities for fieldwork, conferences, service-learning and so on!

Yurika Tulen on 12/5/2011 6:22:47 PM

I am a sophomore here in Soka University, and I can honestly say that my overall experience here has been wonderful. There are many things I can talk about, but some of the main points are: 1) The faculty and staff here are so friendly and helpful. =) The professors have been doing a great job of being available to students (for any help/questions), even going as far as to staying/replying to e-mails beyond office hours in order to accommodate to students. All of the staff members, as well, have been so friendly and welcoming to all of the students. 2) The small class sizes have been really helpful to the students. For me, personally, having about 9-12 students in my class have made it easier for me, as well as for my classmates, to connect with the professor and really have deep discussions about the subjects. It has also given the professor the opportunities to accommodate to students' needs and levels and focus on bringing out each student's potential. Also, having a small class size makes it easier for students, especially international students who are not confident with their English, to express their ideas and/or present in front of other people. 3) The dining hall/Sokafe is very accommodating to students. Bon Appetit, Soka's main food provider, constantly asks students for any requests/concerns/ideas about the buffet-style menu (for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and does their best to provide a wide variety of dishes daily. Because our student body is so ethnically diverse, Bon Appetit cooks up dishes from various countries, such as Japan, India, Philippines, and Mexico, making students feel more at home. The Sokafe, Soka's on-campus cafe, has been adding more snacks and beverages to their menu to ensure that students won't go hungry in the middle of the night while studying. Also, with the free $50 that the Sokafe provides to every student, students have been happily satisfied with energy drinks, frappuccinos, fruit parfaits, salads, and more. 4) The opportunity to study abroad and focus on a foreign language (Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, or French) was very appealing to me. Not only do we have the chance to increase our fluency in our specific language choice, we are able to experience other cultures and be more open-minded, knowledgeable, and understanding of the differences and similarities we share. Because our goal as Soka students is to be "global leaders," studying abroad is one of the many important factors that enables us to further reach that goal. Overall, the four years I will have here will be the best life experience/lesson I can ever have.

Masako Uewaki on 12/6/2012 2:20:33 PM

Hi! I am currently studying at Soka University of America. I am so glad that I came here because Soka offeres so many opportunities for us to grow. One of them is study abroad. At Soka, all students are required to have two years of language courses (Spanish, French, Chinese, and Japanese)and go to study abroad for one semester (about 5 months). I took Spanish in my freshman year and sophomore year and went to Ecuador. That was such a wonderful experience because I had never lived in a developing country before my study abroad. Now, I am more aware how fortunate I am to have all stuff around me here. Also, I was able to encounter amazing people in Ecuador. Although they had different life backgrounds, we were able to build strong bonds. I believe that Soka allows me to have more open mind to grow as a global citizen.

VQT on 11/13/2015 5:43:47 PM

SUA may not be the best college in the U.S. but it's certainly a very decent one. The first thing students should consider when applying here is its extremely generous financial aid package: anyone with family income less than $60,000 will receive free tuition and there are other scholarships as well. That means it is possible for even an international student to not have to pay for anything, not even room and board or food. However, since SUA is a Liberal Arts college, the courses here are intended to broaden the students' perspective rather than specialize them in one field. That being said, it is possible for one to pursue serious research if serious commitment to the field is demonstrated. Students, faculties, and the staff here are generally nice and very approachable. However, the school tries rather hard to maintain its ideal of peace and harmony so unorthodox methodologies might not be always welcomed. Still, if you're looking for a place to "open up new horizons" for you or short on cash, this is the place.

Soka Student on 10/22/2015 2:18:42 PM

I am a first year student at Soka and my experience here has been incredible! Very engaging, inspiring and enlightening to live in a community with so much care. I was inspired by their vision of peace. Before coming to Soka I didn't really know what it means to create peace but I feel so grateful for this amazing opportunity to be able to seek and have so much hope for humanity studying at Soka, being able to engage with each person you encounter on campus and able to connect and care each other and enjoy each day here. Soka is very unique and special!! I enjoy developing friendship and having many dialogues with my friends here at Soka. I am learning very important lessons here so much more than just academics. So much appreciation for donors for my scholarship allowing me to be able to study. I am excited to learn more and grow here at Soka.

Akane on 10/22/2015 2:54:27 PM

I am a sophomore year student in this school.The school has changed my perspective of the world. I learned a lot subjects that can apply to our lives. The professor are all so caring. There are a lot of opportunities for you to interact with the professors. The professors have office hours that you can always walk in and ask them questions. 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.

Akemi Akaiwa on 12/7/2015 5:48:34 PM

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.

TU on 12/8/2015 1:42:10 PM

I'm a student as SUA, and liberal arts education here has really helped me cultivate my potential. Not only have I learned different kinds of subject, but also I have developed critical and creative thinking skill, as well as communication skills, which helps me look at society critically. I also love the close relationships you can make with amazing professors through small class and interactions outside the classroom. Many professors really challenge you to think deeply and take responsibility of your learning. Thanks to the deep investigation of the subjects with professors through inquiry, I have been able to learn how to question, think, and learn. In addition, thanks to the diverse and small student body, I’ve met amazing people of different race, nationality, and culture and learned so much. I’ve made friendships beyond boarders. Of course, it is not perfect, but many students are very willing to bring about change in many aspects of the university, and faculties and administrators are very supportive. Considering that it’s merely 14 years old, SUA has been growing so fast. Overall, SUA life has been an amazing experience for me, and I think that as long as you have a will to learn, SUA offers a lot of opportunities and resources for you.

Chemi Dolma on 11/1/2011 7:01:12 PM

I am a senior at Soka University of America and my experience here has been enlightening. The education I receive here is based on the philosophy of Soka Education where the goal of learning is the happiness of the student. The three principles of Soka, peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life, are what drive everyone here. The professors are here for this goal and invest much of their time and effort in sincerely helping students to really understand these ideals. The average class size is 12 students! That means you get to know your professors. They are more than just teachers; they are our friends who support us to grow into our dreams. The classes are mind-opening and the curriculum unique in that it goes beyond just liberal arts, infused with humanism and interdisciplinary approaches to all topics. Another really unique aspect of Soka is the opportunity for all students to experience study abroad! I went to Nanjing, China and the experience, although challenging was rewarding in ways that I never could have imagine. I am a different person today than I was before study abroad and I continue to grow as I live and learn in this wonderful supportive community. The campus is just beautiful, sitting atop a hill, surrounded on three sides by 19,000 acres of wilderness, and a few miles away from the beach. Not only that, it is only 45 minutes away from the two most active urban centers of southern California, Los Angeles and San Diego. There is never a shortage of things to do because the student-driven campus is always buzzing with activities and the cities above have amazing opportunities for students to get involved in a variety of events, efforts, and organizations. If I were to sum up what Soka is all about in one short sentence, I would have to say this: It is not about having more, but becoming more. This is the most valuable key that unlocks the adventure that is the rest of students� lives. I feel so fortunate to have experienced all that I have experienced at Soka.

Serena Malkani on 11/1/2011 7:08:55 PM

I am currently a senior at Soka University of America and I can't even begin to explain the number of life changing experiences I've had at this school. Although I am of Indian descent, I was born in Kobe Japan and have lived there all my life. I completed the IB program at an International school before coming to Soka, which was both an extremely multicultural and rigorous environment. When I first arrived at Soka however, I immediately felt a difference in the quality of my education. A sense of purpose pervaded the classrooms, professors encouraged deep questioning into oneself and the subject matter, and students were drawing on their own experiences to interpret what they were studying. "For what purpose do you cultivate wisdom, may you never forget to ask yourself this question" (Founder, Daisaku Ikeda). This idea always finds its way into the Soka classroom, whether it is in a Physics class or a class on 20th Century American Literature. I have also had many opportunities to travel outside of the United States as a student. In my first year, I was able to go to Panama to study microfinance institutions. We visited communities who had begun implementing this development strategy and critically analyzed what worked and what didn�t. It was here that I first began to understand the extreme gap that exists between what NGOs think a community needs and what a community actually needs, and continue to question such important power dynamics in all of my International Relations/Studies classes that I have taken thus far. In my second year I travelled to Guatemala to study the effects of the civil war. Throughout the two weeks, my classmates and I visited with various women leaders and anthropologists, interviewed people that had lost loved ones or had been tortured during this time, and frequently at dinner with the youth leaders who were fighting to change their country. Suddenly the statistics of the dead in the newspaper were not invisible. I could attach faces and feel a strong desire to study emerging in my heart. I see my education at Soka as the training ground for me to fight on a world stage for peace and human rights. Although, the way each student will engage with their education at Soka will inevitably differ, this University most definitely offers all the tools necessary for you to open up your mind and heart in ways that you could have never imagined.

SUA student on 9/18/2014 6:51:13 PM

I am currently a senior student at SUA. SUA has given me so many opportunities to broaden my perspectives and explore various places of the world over the past few years. Our university has students from over 30 countries, so it is truly nice to interact and become friends with people from different backgrounds. In addition, we can learn a foreign language out of four options, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. Then, all of us are going to study abroad in countries where those languages are spoken. In my case, I went to China and had precious experiences there, which helped me deepen my understanding of Chinese culture and also think about my future career. I appreciate SUA for giving me such wonderful opportunities to develop as a well-rounded person.

Pearl M on 2/7/2012 5:41:22 PM

I am a freshman, class of 2015, and my first impression of this school was: Wow, this is a beautiful campus and it would be a dream to live and study here. Fortunately, I was accepted and am in my second semester of my college life. I have been fortunate to be part of such a beautiful school. Because I enjoy helping people and volunteering, I am interested in the International Studies concentration and I have been able to participate in many volunteering activities. Our school offers many opportunities for students to go abroad, with many students just returning from Indonesia, Argentina, Cambodia, Turkey, Korea, and many others. Being here, I have been able to get a job, get an internship, and participate in many different club activities. I have strengthened my leadership goals and have been offered many opportunities to explore job fields, participating in career programs. I am also fortunate enough to be part of a spring break program where I will be going to New York to volunteer and do community service work, learning about issues such as poverty and health. This school has definitely changed my life for the better and I have only been here for half a year. I cannot wait to experience more and take advantage of all the opportunities provided for me.

Yuki Yoshida on 2/8/2012 1:37:35 PM

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, please come visit us sometime later!

Noah Green on 7/23/2018 6:53:00 PM

I am a sophomore at Soka University and my experience at Soka has been great. I especially like the small class and the language program. The average class size is 12 and the classes are often based on students participation and discussion. Therefore, you cannot just skip classes or come to class without having done the reading. In this sense, the students are in the good environment where they have to study. Also, Soka has its unique language program in which all the students have to learn a new language. They need to pick a language from Spanish, French, Chinese, or Japanese and take four classes of that language in the four years. In their 3rd year, all the students go study abroad in a country where their chosen language is spoken. The money for study abroad is all included in your tuition so that you don't have to pay additional money for the study abroad. When you graduate from Soka, you are trained with the rigorous academics and you are fluent in one new language with study abroad experience.

Choco on 10/11/2017 6:57:55 PM

I am a sophomore at Soka University. I believe this school offers the best environment for students who want to study various fields and to train their leadership skills among students from different countries. Since Soka is a liberal arts university, students can explore different fields before they choose a specific concentration. I myself was not sure which field I’d like to pursue, but taking various classes, including psychology, Latin American studies, and environmental studies, I am able to think what I want to do and I can do in the future very freely and creatively. Also, at Soka, many students come from various countries. Friendship that I have built with people from different parts of the world is one of the most wonderful treasure in my life. We are required to live on campus and I have found many differences in different cultures. However, I feel that the students are overcoming the differences and making strong friendship between each other. I definitely recommend this school.

Hide Yamashita on 11/14/2017 2:58:15 PM

I'm a current first-year student at SUA. I'm so glad that I found out Soka and have been studying in here. What I think now, studying at Soka is that Soka is the perfect place where you study to be a true global citizen in terms of academic and extracurricular activities. SUA provides us with very distinctive classes that focus on peace and human rights. Since I have been interested in world peace, I thought it was suitable place to study. Also, SUA offers us the program called learning cluster, the class for a month in January to study with one professor, focusing on one specific topic. In some groups, you can travel to investigate or research your topics. Since SUA provides us with a lot of opportunities, I am so happy to be and study at Soka. I would like to reccomend you to come to Soka. I'm convinced that Soka is going to be the best home for me to come back throughout my life.

Anonymous on 11/3/2017 2:18:28 PM

akane on 6/1/2016 6:48:42 PM

The school is nice and had allowed me to change. I become more outgoing and am more confident in myself. The people and the professors here are very friendly. The courses I took here had allowed me think more.

MB on 1/10/2020 6:56:02 PM

I am currently a student in Soka University of America's Master of Arts program in Educational Leadership and Societal Change. The program focuses on providing future leaders in society with the tools they need to address the challenges facing our globalized world in the 21st century. The philosophy of Soka Education, which serves as the foundation for the teaching and campus environment at Soka, upholds student-mentor interaction as the key to nurturing each individual so that they can blossom to their full potential and create value not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of others. The mission of Soka is to "foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life." This mission can be seen reflected in every facet of the school, from its classes to the architecture and design of the school. Soka students hail from every corner of the Earth and from every background imaginable, which is possible thanks to the generous financial aid provided by Soka. Soka is very small, with just over 450 undergraduates in total, which means that each and every student is given a great deal of personal attention and individualized instruction. There are just 8 students per faculty member (8:1 student-to-faculty ratio), and a typical class has just 12 students. Classes are intense, and most often follow a seminar-style discussion-based format in which students must be active participants in the process of their own education—no taking naps in the dark recesses of a cavernous auditorium! Students are thrown out of their comfort zones when they go an a mandatory (!) study abroad semester, usually in their junior year, after taking language classes up to the intermediate level while at Soka. Study abroad provides experiential learning by requiring students to put their newfound language skills into practice in order to thrive in a totally new environment and culture. Soka embodies its mission of global citizenship and value creation in many ways in addition to those I've described above. The student community is close-knit, with a genuine family feel. Yet, Soka students are never forced to share their room with more than one other person, because dorm rooms here never exceed double occupancy. In fact, returning students after their first year live in suite-style rooms with two private bedrooms and a bathroom in each suite (freshmen live in a double room with its own bathroom). Meals and laundry are included in room and board, while tuition is waved if your family earns less than $60,000 per year. I am confident to say that Soka Univeristy of America is a top choice for anyone desiring to gain a broader understanding of the world we live in.

Kevin on 10/17/2019 1:31:37 PM

I have to say overall my experience here at SUA is absolutely wonderful. Our campus is very beautiful. Students and faculty are so friendly. Our school is really unique because of the small class ratio, generous financial aid, and the mandatory study abroad program. Please come to SUA for a visit.

New House on 10/17/2019 2:30:46 PM

Wing Ng on 2/4/2013 5:54:25 PM

I'm currently a junior in SUA looking forward to my study abroad this coming April. The school has provided me with so many opportunities over the years and has widened my view of the world. It is a graduating requirement for every student to study a foreign language for two years and study abroad for a semester in the country that speaks this specific language. I personally will be able to travel to Sapporo, Japan to study Japanese. We also offer courses specific to SUA such as our Learning Clusters. Learning Clusters are a month long course that allows student to create a unique course that explores a specific topic. We are fortunate enough to be provided with a grant each year for a number of students who wishes to study the topic abroad during this period of time. In my freshmen year I was able to meet with former comfort women and visit NGOs in Korea to learn about the events in East Asia and how these different events affect education in peace in general. Our sports teams are also very welcoming to anyone with the will and passion to join regardless of their experience. Although I have never participated in a sports team in the past I was able to join our swimming team as a freshman and travel to different universities including University of Chicago to participate in meets. These are only a glimpse of what you can achieve in Soka and all of this has been supported by great financial aid and grant system. I personally came from a lower middle class family and would not have been able to afford college if it wasn�t for soka. Soka Provides full tuition for families with the income of less than 60,000 and for students with a strong application, soka also provides merit scholarships. Many people fear that the tuition would be unaffordable, but for most students on campus, soka is more affordable than most public colleges considering the recent budget cuts on education in the United States. Feel free to drop by for a visit. I assure you you�ll fall in love with this place just like I did.

suastudent on 10/31/2012 2:53:50 PM

The education I have received at SUA is they type of education EVERYBODY should receive, not only at college level, but at ALL levels. I am specifically referring to the aspect of SUA that, WITHOUT BEING A BUDDHIST OR ANY RELIGIOUSLY-AFFILIATED SCHOOL, aims at the happiness af the learner for the sake of world peace, human rights, and the respect of the sanctity of life. I am an advocate that education is NOT only to get a job and build a reputation of an "intellectual." Instead, education is supposed to provide the learner with the necessary environment and incentive to create their character and reflect abotu what it is to be a human being. And that is exactly the type of education offered at SUA. The school is small (about 450 student in TOTAL), wich is awesome because our classes are small (12 to 13 students averga per class). We have several required courses, some of them gereal education like math, etc., as well as elective courses that we choose depending on our concentration. Professors are, above all, my absolute favortie element of SUA.

Anonymous on 7/27/2012 5:53:44 PM

Anonymous on 11/2/2012 6:11:11 PM

SUA student on 8/17/2018 6:20:24 PM

This school is amazing!!! Beautiful place and beautiful people!!! I'm just so happy to be a student in here. You can enjoy talking with other students who have different backgrounds. In addition to it, you can enjoy food in here. The caf is open 3 times in a day, and you can just walk in whenever you want and eat food (it's all you can eat!!).

Ami on 9/25/2013 6:12:50 PM

I�m a freshman here at SUA and so far I�m having a really great experience here. While I�m not going as far as saying this school is perfect, I definitely do believe I picked the right school for me. I love having so many discussion based classes where I feel like I�m actually learning, rather than just rote memorization, and I love the small class size here. It makes learning so much more intimate and fun. I feel like I�ve already learned so much here, whether it�s just refreshing my memory on things I�ve learned in the past, or learning about new cultures and making friends from all over the world. I enjoy the diversity here of the student body, and I�m not only making friends from the US but from places like India, Italy, Japan, Korea, etc. It�s truly amazing to talk about life and the way we grew up because sometimes they are really different. It is both eye-opening and interesting. All in all, I�m enjoying my time here and I feel like I�m learning both in and outside of the classroom.

Kiyomi on 10/16/2018 5:57:34 PM

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 (Spain, France, Senegal, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Latin American Countries) in their 3rd year. The experience of jumping into a new culture widens their perspectives and gives them real-life experiences of cultural understanding they cannot learn solely from a textbook. 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 have financial difficulties yet are eager to study get opportunities at Soka. One of the advantages of a small size college (only 450 students) is the firm connection of people. 8:1 student/faculty ratio encourages students to often visit professors’ offices to ask questions/ have discussions, which is rarely seen in larger colleges. Students, faculty and staff at Soka are always supportive and close to each other as we call ourselves “Soka Family.” Soka is not just a place to acquire knowledge but grow as a human being and global leader. If you are in search of a college for yourself, your children or friends… I strongly recommend coming see our beautiful campus and people to learn more about Soka. You will love it!

Lily on 12/23/2021 2:17:15 PM

I greatly appreciate SUA for offering us a variety of learning opportunities. SUA enabled me to go on overseas fieldwork in Asia and study abroad in Spain. Since the student-faculty ratio is 8:1, we can approach professors very easily and receive support from them. I have no regret for choosing SUA!

Soka Student on 6/24/2019 6:32:30 PM

I have just completed my second year at Soka, and so far, I've had an amazing experience. First of all, the school offers very generous financial aid, making the attendance affordable for anyone. Secondly, all students at SUA get a semester of study abroad, which is included in the tuition. Together with the diverse campus, this provides SUA's students with a global perspective. Another great advantage of SUA is its small student-faculty ratio. Because of this and the small class sizes, students get in close contact with the professors, which creates valuable opportunities and opens many doors for them. Lastly, the location of SUA is another advantage: While the city surrounding SUA is relatively small and quiet, there are many beautiful beaches and a variety of interesting communities in close proximity. Overall, I would highly recommend Soka to anyone that would like to study liberal arts and is looking for a small campus/student community.

Jacob Hathers on 10/16/2013 6:45:18 PM

This school is definitely a unique school. 450 students on a secluded campus with mandatory study abroad and mandatory 4 year stay on campus. While this may seem off putting let me convince you otherwise. We have a beautiful campus with many quiet spots to study, over 35 student led club activates ranging from dance all the way to �corea club�. We have a world renowned Performing arts center with all shows free of cost for all students. No class size exceeds 12 students at this school so all of your professors know your name and know who you actually are as well as most of the classes being dialogue based. Mandatory study aboard has led to many new friendships and has also opened many new job opportunities for students and alumni alike. I personally will be going to Ecuador for my study abroad junior year. Another amazing aspect of the school is the diversity that the school has. There are more than 40 different countries represented by the student demographic. I myself being a native Californian would have never thought that my best friends would be Japanese or Indian. Now I will not lie the classes here are challenging and they seem to be challenging to everyone. As far as standards go it seems that just about everyone here has only 5s on their Ap tests and even international students� SAT scores are easily on average in the high 2100s. All-in-all the standard at this school is extremely high and consistently so. When I asked my fellow classmates why they choose this school over others most said that it was the mission statement, �To foster a steady stream of global citizens dedicated to living a contributive life.� The financial aid provided at this school is phenomenal. While I personally have to pay for room and board my tuition is completely paid for through the soka opportunity scholarship and while I might have to pay a decent amount I cannot complain when compared to my friend who received financial aid from Cal Lutheran and is still paying 5 times more than me. The price is reasonable especially for the education that you will acquire here at soka. Job opportunities after soka are fairly abundant as well due the student affairs helping students all four years gain connections through networking and by also staying in constant contact to ensure the student will have the career that is right for him. The dorm life is excellent with washing and dryers being completely free. There are multiple living rooms in all of the halls the rooms are large when compared to other colleges and come stocked with a desk, drawer, cabinet, and bed all cherry blossom wood. Lastly there�s food. No meal plan just swipes your card and you have an all you can eat breakfast lunch and dinner. They serve at least 3 main entrees per meal due to all of the different cultures that are prominent at the school. It is vegan and vegetation friendly at every meal and again it�s all you can eat! You�ll never go hunger at this school. This school is excellent in every way and I can�t wait to meet you here and hope you have an awesome experience just like the one I am having right now.

Linda Mutesi on 6/10/2019 1:26:43 PM

I am currently a sophomore at SUA. One thing that makes this university different is that you will get 100% of the professors’ attention for both class work and personal projects. Although college is challenging, SUA has different resources to help each student learn the skills they need to get the most from their education career. The diverse student body here helps students understand their identities through questioning them and hearing perspectives from other students. Students also get a chance to explore even more diverse identities through the fully funded study abroad while also polishing their language skills. The small class size allows me and the rest of my classmates to participate comfortably and have one to one interactions with our professors after class. The resources here, for example the writing center, are designed to help all students despite their background in different fields. One of my favorite parts about life here at SUA is how everyone is genuinely approachable and respectful of each other. SUA allows us to grow immensely at our own paces yet also challenging us to solve issues in our societies through humanistic approach

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Interview Q&A How long have you been in business?
Soka University of America was founded as a non-profit public benefit corporation in 1987 in Calabasas, CA. The Aliso Viejo,CA campus was dedicated on May 3, 2001. In Sept. 2011 the 1000-seat Soka Performing Arts Center opened. In 2016 SUA celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Aliso Viejo Campus. In 2017 construction began on a new four-level science hall that will open in Fall 2020 along with a new Life Sciences Concentration.

What is your primary product or service?
SUA is a private, non-profit, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school offering an 8:1 student/faculty ratio and an average class size of 12. All undergraduate students study a non-native language and study abroad for a semester in their junior year (included in tuition.) About 60% of Soka University's students come from the US and 40% from more than 45 other countries. Soka Performing Arts Center provides a wide variety of orchestra, chamber, jazz and special events open to the community.

How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Soka education centers on creating student/mentor relationships in the classroom and helping students create value in their lives and their communities. The mission of SUA is to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life.

How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Soka University was the first university in the US to provide a semester of study abroad for all juniors -- included in tuition. SUA offers unique Core classes and Learning Clusters that enable students to research and propose solutions to community and world problems. In 2008 Soka began offering full tuition Soka Opportunity Scholarships to admitted students whose families earn $60,000 or less annually. SUA is ranked in the Top 25 National Liberal Arts Colleges, #1 Study Abroad, #2 Faculty Resources, and Top 15 Best Value in U.S. News and World Reports' "Best Colleges 2019." www.soka.edu

How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
In 2008 SUA's graduate school moved to the Aliso Viejo campus, so Soka University of America has one campus in Aliso Viejo, CA.

Provide detailed directions to your location
From Interstate 5 in south Orange County take Oso/Pacific Park offramp west to Wood Canyon Drive. Turn left on Wood Canyon, then go 1 mile and turn right on University. Map: www.soka.edu/directions

What type of payments do you accept?
Check or cash for events like Soka University's annual International Festival on the first Saturday in May. Credit cards at Soka Performing Arts Center.

Which areas do you service?
SUA is an international campus open to students of all nationalities and all beliefs. Soka Bistro (dining hall), Ikeda Library, Founders Hall Art Gallery, the Millenial Trail and Soka Performing Arts Center are open to the community.

Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Soka University is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization administered by our Board of Trustees. SUA's president is Daniel Y. Habuki, PhD.

What are your hours of operation?
SUA's campus is open to the community from dawn to dusk. The library and track are open to the community during regular academic hours. The Art Gallery is open 9-5 M-F and offers free admission. Daily walking tours are offered at 10 am and 2 pm M-F and Saturday at 10 or 2 by appointment. Soka Performing Arts Center is open for special matinees and evening performances.

What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
"I met some of your students and they are amazing!"

What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
"What our world most requires now is the kind of education that fosters love for humankind, that develops character - that provides an intellectual basis for the realization of peace and empowers learners to contribute to and improve society." Daisaku Ikeda, founder of Soka University of America

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Soka University of America (SUA)

Art Galleries, Colleges & Universities, Live Theater Plays, Musicals & More, Orange County Biz List - Orange County, CA

Soka University of America (SUA)

Art Galleries, Colleges & Universities, Live Theater Plays, Musicals & More,
Orange County Biz List - Orange County, CA