WAKUWAKU work, DOKIDOKI talk

WA (Talk each other), WA (Join together), WA (Feel comfortable)! 2008

<Date> October 11-12
<Place> Shizuwel, Shizuoka Prefecture Social Welfare Facility

<Number of participants> 
  - 28 international students
  - 41 Japanese students
  - 15 other people

 

 

 

 

 

Commemorative picture after the closing ceremony

 

<Detail>
Shizuoka Prefectural International Student Exchange Promotion Council established an executive committee, which conducted the program on October 11 and 12 at Shizuwel, Shizuoka Prefecture Social Welfare Facility.

Having “to get employed” and “to work” as the main subject, students studying at colleges and universities in Shizuoka Prefecture, which included 28 international students and 41 Japanese students, had discussions. On the first day, participants were divided into small groups based on the subject of discussion, and had group discussion sessions on the subject with career counselor and some other staff members. On the second day, with the guests invited from corporations, participants exchanged opinions and information about the job situation for international students and different situations that each corporation had.

 

RIGHT: Team leaders presenting the subject of discussion

There were three things that were achieved through the program. First, we could conduct a survey both among international students and companies on employment of international students prior to the program. We could use the survey results as a medium for conveying what the other group of respondents had in mind.

Secondly, we could have guests from corporations. Now that students directly exchanged views with other participants including the guests in a setting very different from job-hunting, both the international students and the guests would probably be able to avoid idealizing one another or having anxieties unnecessarily.

The third achievement was that exchange among students, both international and Japanese students, in Shizuoka Prefecture at an individual level was realized. It was not a case where they were expected to interact with each other just because they were from different countries. We could provide them with an opportunity to actively participate in exchange as fellow students from different countries. As a result, I believe the international students were able to find out that they had concerns over getting employed not because “they were international students” but because “they were university students.”

 

From now on, we, the Shizuoka Prefectural International Student Exchange Promotion Council and Shizuoka University, are going to make the utmost effort in cooperation with the local government and corporations to grasp the job situation continuously as long as possible.

 

Mari Hakamata, Shizuoka University International Center

 

 
LEFT: Group discussion on how to make money and the beneficial way of using it

RIGHT: Group discussion on the relationship between school activities and work

 

 

<Participant’s comment>
Mr. Nguyen Van Viet, Faculty of Engineering, Shizuoka University
"My name is Viet. I took part in this program as one of the staff members. I have been studying in Japan for three years but have not participated in extracurricular activities very often.

In the beginning, I was worried if I could get along well with other members because I could not speak Japanese very fluently. However, the members of executive committee helped me wholeheartedly, and I also worked hard, so I could fulfill my obligations though it was a difficult task. I would really like to say thank you to others.

On the day of the program, many students, both international students and Japanese students, from various universities got together, and I could become friends with them and talk about diverse issues. I had a very good time during the program and was very happy. Furthermore, it was a good opportunity for me to learn many things from many experiences by being involved in “WA (Talk each other), WA (Join together), WA (Feel comfortable) !” this year."

 

 

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 “Japanese Speech Contest for International Students” The Twentieth Anniversary Special Program

 - Let’s Get to Know International Students! - Global Festival in Oita

<Date> November 15 (SAT)
<Place> Oita Seibu Community Center

<Number of participants> 
  - 70 international students
  - 50 Japanese students
  - 50 other people

 

<Detail>

It was the 20th anniversary this year for the “Japanese Speech Contest for International Students” sponsored by Oita Prefecture Committee for International Student Exchange. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary, besides the annual speech contest, a special symposium titled “Now and the Future of International Student Exchange” was held along with “Global Festival ---Music and Dance Performances by the International Students” this year. At the symposium, panelists from various fields had a discussion on the international student exchange in Oita region.

There were 14 international students who participated in the contest. The contestants spoke about various subjects such as the “mixture of cultures” and the “Great Sichuan Earthquake” in Japanese. The highest award went to an international student from Korea, who spoke about interaction with Japanese people.
On top of what is mentioned above, to commemorate the 20th anniversary, a photo exhibition was held to show pictures of the speech contest in the past and international students who are now studying in Oita.

About 170 people including local residents, people from colleges and universities, international students and others visited the venue on the day. Visitors enjoyed the program very much, saying such things as follows: They were impressed with international students who were very good at speaking Japanese; they were able to get to know about international students who were trying really hard in Japan; it was a good opportunity for them to listen to the speech about the way of thinking of those who are from various countries or about their experiences in Japan.

 

LEFT: Mr. Derek from the United States of America making a speech
CENTER : Photo exhibition
RIGHT: International student’s dance performance

 

 

<Participant’s comment>
Mr. Hu Long Fu, Symposium Panelist
"Being invited by Oita University and representing a lot of international students, I participated in the symposium and was filled with gratitude to Oita University, my old university, and with the sense of nostalgia.
We, the former international students, do not only take active roles in various fields in many parts of the world by making use of what we learned at schools but also return the hospitality and fellowship that we received at Oita University or in Oita region to people in various countries through international exchange. I believe that international exchange can be realized by building up trust based on face-to-face communication, promoting better understanding about different cultures and paying respect with each other.

I found such an occasion like this symposium to “get to know international students” was very meaningful because we talked about various countries in one language in one place together.
I sincerely hope that not only those international students who are studying in Japan now but also those who already graduated from schools make opportunities to visit where you studied even many years after you leave Oita so that you don’t forget the scent, the atmosphere, of Oita which is another homeland of you. Just as salmons come back to the original stream, please come visit Oita again. "

 

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Tea Ceremony at Kokura Castle Garden

<Date> November 29 (SAT ) - 30 (SUN)
<Place> Kokura Castle Garden (Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
<Number of participants> 

  - 25 international students
  - 15 Japanese students
  - 25 other participants

 

<Detail>

At the end of November, as people were enjoying the last part of the momiji (foliage) season, a team of 17 students led by the Foreign Students Support Network (FORSNET) held a tea ceremony. The team called themselves “Kitakyushu Science and Research Park (KSRP) - Team Sadou 2008” (Sadou refers to the Japanese tea ceremony and literally means “the way of tea”). The tea ceremony itself was named “O Cha Kai,” which sounds exactly the same as the Japanese term for a tea ceremony “ochakai”, but the team used a different kanji character for the first syllable of the name. The meaning of the character became ‘boy, man or male’, and as the name suggests, it was only male students who made and served tea at the tea ceremony.

 

The Team Sadou consists of graduate students studying at the Kyushu Institute of Technology, the University of Kitakyushu and Waseda University, which are all part of KSRP. The international members of the team, including the team leader from Japan, came from various countries such as Peru, the Philippines, China, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. Many people, including not only local residents, but also professors of the universities the members belonged to, members’ friends and people from local companies visited the event. The total number of visitors reached almost 700 over the two-day event.

 

“O Cha Kai” began with a welcome address made by the leader, and all the members of the team welcomed the guests in Japanese attire, kimono and hakama (a divided skirt). The team talked of how “Through sadou, we have established the relationship of trust, which goes beyond nationality and age differences and builds a bridge to the future, and have learned to perform wholeheartedly, which is actually the very origin of Monozukuri (shop-floor production),”. It was as if the trust that they had established was realized in the cups of hot tea that they made and served, and such words made a refreshing impression on us. In addition, the “Karanishiki” sweets served at the tea ceremony further added to the vivid beauty of the autumn leaves.

Thanks to the support and encouragement given by the local people, we were able to hold “O Cha Kai”. The event gave great pleasure to both the students who held the ceremony, and staff members like ourselves, and has left us all with many wonderful memories. We will always treasure the trust we have built together with the foreign students, Japanese students and the local people.

LEFT : International Students getting help dressing in kimono

CENTER : Karanishiki (sweets)

RIGHT: An international student performing “otemae”

 

<Participant’s comment>
Mr. Ng Michael, Indonesia
"I performed otemae, making and serving tea, in a Japanese style room. Each and every move in a tea ceremony has its own meaning, and you make tea for someone else with your whole heart. This shows you the culture of Japan very well, and I learned a lot about Japanese culture this time.
The rules of behavior for otemae are complex, and it was sometimes difficult for me to continue sitting on my legs, but I tried hard with my teammates, with our motto “YES WE CAN!”

 

 

 

 

Mr. Chen Min Jie, China
"I performed otemae, making and serving tea, in a seated venue.
All the members of our team are graduate students who major in math, science or engineering. When we became stuck in our research, we practiced sadou in a quiet space, refreshed ourselves and went back to our research. It was hard to continue practicing, but through practicing sadou, I was able to learn the importance of concentration."

 

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Short-term international exchange program by an international student(language assistance)

 

<Program contents> Language support to foreign children who have transferred to an elementary school in Naha City
<Name of the international student> Shiroma, Akihide Celso (Freshman, Faculty of Law and Letters, University of the Ryukyus)
<Program period> August - September, 2008

 

<Detail>
Naha International Exchange Association has conducted a variety of international exchange activities, and this language assistance program by an international student is one of them. Mr. Shiroma Akihide Celso who is a student from Brazil studying at University of the Ryukyus provided language support for Sudo Thifany, a fifth grader, and her sister Sudo Pamella, a fourth grader. The Sudo sisters have moved from Brazil and stayed at the house of their acquaintance living in Naha City since April.

Thifany and Pamella are living with Jyashiki Family, and as Mr. Jyashiki whose wife is from Brazil can also speak Portuguese, they have no problem in communicating in day-to-day situations. However, there was a concern about their school life: Whether they can catch up with their school works or whether they can have good relationships with their friends. Therefore, during summer vacation of Sudo sisters, we asked the school to let them use a classroom and helped them learn Japanese. There, Mr. Shiroma taught them how to read and write using school text books and summer vacation homework.

 

When summer vacation was over, Mr. Shiroma attended actual classes with Thifany or Pamella so that he could help them understand the course content. Although the program lasted for a short period of time, Thifany and Pamella must have felt very encouraged by the support they received from a foreign student like them who had already mastered Japanese language and they must have been well motivated to learn the language.

LEFT: Thifany at a science class(Center)and Celso (Right) helping her

RIGHT: Pamella at an English class (Left) and Celso (Right) helping her

 

<Participant’s comment>
Mr. Shiroma Akihide Celso
"When I first received a request to participate in this program, I could not make up my mind. I wondered if it would be all right for a Brazilian same as Sudo sisters to be in their support in an international exchange program. Then I thought it over. I can contribute to their or our exchanges with people in the community if I can help them become able to understand Japanese even if only slightly.

Once a week, I went to Mekaru elementary school to help them study Japanese language. In the lessons, I had them read simple Japanese sentences, explained expressions used in those sentences and sometimes translated them into Portuguese. However, all I could do was to be impressed by them who were trying really hard to blend in with their Japanese friends.
I believe I could feel what the children of those who come to Japan to work through providing the girls with language support. Even though those people are away from home to work in Japan, many of them have strong ties with Okinawa. Some have studied in Okinawa before like myself, and some will come back to Okinawa to study in the future. Through the experience this time, I felt an urge to do something for Brazil and Japan.
I would be very happy if I could be of any help for Thifany and Pamella to fit in with the Japanese society in the days to come."

 

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World Caravan (dispatch program of instructors and presenters for education on international mutual understanding)

 

Appointment of Foreign Students to be Goodwill Ambassadors

<Period> From September to November, 2008 (the first half of the term)
<Places> Elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, special needs education schools, and lifelong study facilities in Ibaraki prefecture.
<Participants> About 100 foreign students, elementary school students, junior and senior high school students, and others.

 

 

<Detail>

The Ibaraki International Association implements “World caravan” every year. The World Caravan is a dispatch program of foreign students studying at colleges and universities in the prefecture who are appointed as goodwill ambassadors. The goodwill ambassadors visit schools and facilities for lifelong learning as instructors and presenters of diverse cultures and other things related with various countries to promote international understanding.

On Saturday, June 14th, an appointment ceremony of foreign student goodwill ambassadors was held at Ibaraki Prefectural Culture Center in Mito city. 59 international students studying in the prefecture applied this year, therefore it was the appointment of about 100 foreign students to be goodwill ambassadors including those who have been involved in the activities from the preceding terms.

In World Caravan instructors introduce school life, lifestyle or ethnic costume of their country and sometimes cook the local dishes together. Children who participate in the event are often very pleased or surprised, because, different from what they read in books, not only that they can ask questions about what they wonder on the spot but also they can get answers directly from the instructor.

For the foreign students as well, it is one of the few occasions that they can have a valuable experience of actually visiting Japanese elementary schools, junior and senior high schools or special needs education schools and see the school life at those schools and facilities with their own eyes. It is also a precious experience to have school lunch with students. For many foreign students, World Caravan is not just an activity of introducing the culture of their country but a great opportunity to experience and understand various aspects of Japanese culture as well.

 

<From the participants>
Ms. Rym Fekih Bent Moncef

(from Tunisia, studying at the graduate school of Tsukuba University, visited Nagayama Elementary School run by Ryugasaki city)

“As it always had been, it really was a pleasant experience for me to have a good time with a lot of elementary school students. Different from my previous experiences, I saw some students who were very shy, but they seemed to be very much interested in my presentation (on Arabic dance, etc.). Thank you very much.”

<RIGHT> Ms. Rym Fekih Bent Moncef having school lunch with students

 

 

Ms. Lee Sangeun

(from South Korea, studying at Ibaraki Christian University, visited Ibaraki prefectural Tomobe High School)

“As it was my first experience of World Caravan, I was very nervous. I made a presentation, by using PowerPoint, on high school life in Korea and what sort of impression people in Korea have about Japan. I was very pleased because students were interested in my presentation and asked many questions. I would be very happy to participate in World Caravan again if there is an opportunity.”

 

<Upper> Ms. Lee Sangeun helps students try on the traditional costume of Korea.

 

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Project for Revitalizing the City by International Students and Local Residents

(for the central region of the prefecture)

 

<Dates> July 26 and July 27

<Place> Oga city, Akita
<Number of participants>

- 21 international students who are studying at colleges and universities (which include the national college of technology) in Akita prefecture

- 4 Japanese students

- 7 teachers who are cooperators of the project

- 10 Oga citizens

 

 

Commemorative photo in front of Goshado

 

Detail

The purpose of this workshop was to promote mutual exchange among international students and local residents of Akita through group discussions and a visit to historical places together. The theme of the workshop focused on planning a project for revitalizing Oga city by making use of the city’s cultural asset and historical places while incorporating opinions and comments made by international students who can think about the city objectively.

 

This is a three-year program: It was the “old samurai residence” in Kakunodate in 2006, “Shirakami-Sanchi” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and “Namahage” which is designated by the national government as one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties this year that was mainly explored at the workshop.

 

At the session of group discussions, mixed group of international students studying in the prefecture, Japanese students, teachers and local residents discussed heatedly the issue of revitalizing the city by utilizing tourist resources such as the nature of Oga peninsula and the traditional culture like “Namahage.” Participants were divided into five groups and talked about various ideas relating to the given theme. One group proposed “Akita’s Santa Claus” as a catchphrase for a public relations campaign of Namahage, another group proposed an idea of making “Namahage animation.” Everybody had a good time while thinking and talking about different ideas. After the presentation of what they had discussed, their ideas and proposals were judged and commended. The group that thought about the catchphrase won the first prize.

 

After the group discussion session, a party was given to deepen exchanges between international students and local residents, and international students introduced the tradition and culture of their country. Students from Hong Kong, Mongolia and Cameroon made a presentation about the tradition and current condition of their country, using a slide projector and other presentation materials. Their presentations were followed by Namahage Taiko (drum) performance, which was very well received. They gave such comments as “I’m blown away.” and “It makes me feel good.”

 

On the second day, participants actually experienced what they had discussed the previous day such as the nature of Akita and historical places. They enjoyed the majestic scenery of strange rocks and bizarre stones from a pleasure boat on the sea, got to see the Mother Nature of Akita, after which they visited Akagami Shrine Goshado. It is said that five Namahages are enshrined at Goshado, the central hall at Akagami Shrine. It seemed that participants were impressed when they climbed the 999 stone steps. (Legend has it that Namahage made the stone stairway.)

 

It really was a precious opportunity for both international students and local residents to have cross-cultural experiences because international students could deepen their understanding about Japan through actually experiencing Akita’s culture and tradition whereas local residents were very impressed by international students’ being full of ideas and by their attitude to actively express their opinions.

LEFT : International Student presenting catchphrases

CENTER : Presenting a PR campaign on Oga Peninsula

RIGHT: International Student introducing Hong Kong

 

From the participants
Ms. Sugar, student from Mongolia (Akita University)
“It was very good that I could participate in the workshop this time and get acquainted with many international students. At the workshop, we had an opportunity to think about the development of the region with students from other universities and local residents before discussing the theme with one another. We could also experience the beauty of the nature of Oga. It was great that I could spend wonderful two days. Moreover, it was a good learning experience for me to listen to the presentations by international students about their countries.”

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Toshihiro Kawauchi (Akita Prefectural University):
“Because of the language difference, I was puzzled in the beginning but I believe we could overcome differences in nationality and language through working together to achieve the same goal. On top of that, I could enjoy myself without feeling constraint during the workshop, as we were close in age. It would have been better to get to know with one other if participants from Oga also gave presentation on the first day when foreign students introduced themselves. It really was great to have various inspiring experiences in the last two days. I do hope this program will continue in the future. Thank you very much.”

Transformation to Namahage!

 

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An exchange event with international students in Japan: Food Exchange

 

<Date> May 31, 2008 (Sat)

<Place> Meguro-ku Midorigaoka Culture Hall

<Participant> International students, MIFA volunteers (about 40 people)

 

Detail

MIFA carried out Food Exchange to promote exchange between Meguro-ku international students and local people. The students who participated were mostly in graduate studies at Tokyo Institute of Technology. Together with registered MIFA volunteers, they were divided into six groups to try their hands at making rolled sushi. Four international students introduced their countries' dishes.

 

For three hours, they worked in good spirits as a team, exchanging information on recipes. The entire process of preparation, eating, and cleaning up was conducted in an efficient manner. These students quickly got the hang of making sushi rolls in dried laver. The following were the introduced dishes - Vietnam's raw roll, Nepal's dish using nut, Indonesia's tempura (called Barabara), and also coconut-milk curry. In addition to knowing different cultures through cooking, the participants also worked together in cleaning up. The event truly promoted exchanges among the participants.

 

 

 

 

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