The history of international exchanges at Hokkai-Gakuen dates back to1980, when Hokkaido and the province of Alberta in Canada signed a sister agreement. This signing prompted an exchange between the University of Lethbridge in Alberta and Hokkai-Gakuen, which led to the signing of an official Agreement of Exchange in 1985. Since then this exchange has expanded steadily and there now exist several programs. They include a 4-week summer exchange for groups of up to 20 students, exchanges of academic staff, exchanges of students for longer terms and recently the exchange of student groups from the respective Faculties of Business Administration. The outstanding success of these international exchanges has been recognized by the Province of Alberta. Hokkai-Gakuen considers the exchange with the University of Lethbridge to be foundation of all the international exchange programs currently in place at Hokkai-Gakuen's two universities, Hokkai-Gakuen University and Hokkai School of Commerce, and two high schools, Hokkai High School and Hokkai-Gakuen Sapporo High School.