A group photo in front of the Inamori Foundation Memorial Building

〈Overseas University〉 Addis Ababa University
〈Location〉 Ethiopia
〈Seminar Dates〉 September 10 – 23, 2009
〈Participants〉 37

 

■Seminar detail
This seminar was run with the intention of inviting to Japan graduate students who will be the next generation of young researchers and business leaders taking Africa into the future in order for them to get a good look at contemporary Japan, which experienced modernization in a relatively short period, and to hopefully contribute in some form to growth and development in Africa through the impressions, experience and knowledge they gain.

 

The impression that young people in African countries have of Japan is not a complete one: industrial manufactured goods such as automobiles and electronics, as well as Asian customs and culture as portrayed in books and film. A number of participants said that their impression after coming to Japan became a comprehensive one for the first time: that regardless of the fact that Japan quickly revived and modernized itself after World War II through industrial development, the country has maintained its culture. This is just what the purpose of running this seminar was.

 

- Commemorative Speeches & Lectures
“The State of Anthropological Research in Ethiopia and Its Future”; “Southeast Asia Area Studies Today and Its Future – From the Perspective of Gender and the Family”; “What is Practical Area Studies? – Bridging the Practical with Research”; “Global Area Studies Today and Its Future”; “African Area Studies: Past and Present”

 

- Field Trips
Tea ceremony, tour of the National Museum of Ethnology, courtesy call to the Embassy of Ethiopia, visit to the University of Tokyo, tour of the Edo-Tokyo Museum, visit to a farming community outside the city

The theme at the tea ceremony was preserving traditional Japanese culture, for which the participants visited the Urasenke School. In pairs, one played the tatemae (“host”) role while the other was the guest. As the participants observed the series of gestures involved in making and drinking tea, they learned of the spirituality involved in the tea ceremony which has helped shape Japanese culture.

The theme of the visit to the farming community outside the city was farming as a traditional industry and contemporary farming methods, during which the participants conducted field work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Tea ceremony
Right: Visit to a farming community outside the city (Ohara, Kyoto Prefecture; Shiga Prefecture)

 

 

- City Walking Tour
Participants walked in the city of Kyoto to see the “appearance of a traditional town and its preservation” while they toured Tokyo to “compare the old and new capitals.” There was frequent discussion comparing Kyoto and Tokyo.

 

Visit to the University of Tokyo

- Shared discussion, joint research, public symposium (session to report results) and more with students from the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto University.

Presentations by Participants on Practicing Asian and African Area Studies

At the public symposium, all of the Addis Ababa University students used PowerPoint and showed photos taken during the field school while reporting on their results. Many of the students presenting their experiences regarding discoveries and surprises during their stay reported on topics such as how resources are used in Japanese farming communities (the use and preservation of satoyama, which is farmland that utilizes the entire landscape in various ways, primarily forest management).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Public symposium
Right: Students receiving their certificates of completion during the closing ceremony

 

■Student Comments
Participating Student from Kyoto University
Students gathered in Kyoto, one of Japan’s more historical places, and I think the Japanese and Ethiopians were able to share their identities with each other very well. I was able to speak with groups of two to five students at the welcome party, the banquet at the university, taking them to their homestay accommodations and at other opportunities. I had plenty of chances to talk with the Ethiopian students one-on-one about each one’s field research that they introduced to us and I got some tips on conducting my own research, so I feel that it was a good exchange of knowledge.

There were several opportunities to experience the local history of Kyoto with activities such as the tea ceremony at the Urasenke School and home stays, so as the hosts in Japan I think we got good results considering the smiles we put on their faces. Meanwhile, we were just able to celebrate the Ethiopian New Year together and had the chance to learn some of the Amharic language, so I felt we were able to have a mutual cultural exchange. The Ethiopian students felt truly grateful for the hospitality in Kyoto, where so much feels hand-made and authentic. Both sides felt very much that this was a good opportunity and we have high expectations for future exchanges.

 

Participating Student from Addis Ababa University　
I have learned a lot of things while enjoying. The program is so inclusive that we learned Japanese culture and development within this short time because of well designed program.
Much of the lectures are informative and thought-provoking. I have seen and learned a lot of new knowledge about local and global issues from lectures and ASAFAS (Kyoto University Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies)’ visions.　The field trip is enjoyable as well as informative. I learned a lot of Japanese good norms and infrastructure developments.
Students’ participation is fairly good, but Japanese students need to participate more in discussion.

 

 

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A group photo (farewell reception)

 

<Overseas university>

　Faculty of Fisheries, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University

　Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University

　Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University
<Location> Turky
<Seminar period> Nobember 11 to Nobember 20, 2009
<Number of participants> About 300 students

 

 

Seminar detail

An international university exchange seminar between the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) and three Turkish universities (Ege University, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University and Istanbul University) was held mainly at TUMSAT’s Shinagawa Campus from November 11th to 20th. The Turkish universities invited one faculty member and five students to join about 300 TUMSAT faculty, students and others not affiliated with the university. The seminar was conducted under the theme “Maintaining Sustainable Productivity and Food Safety in Tuna Farming.”

 

There were lectures and student presentations on topics including: the current state of Japan and Turkey’s marine sources and farming; new farming techniques; quality control and safety; farmed products and transport; engineering approaches. There was lively discussion on each topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: A student presentation

Right: In the classroom

 

The enriched and wide-ranging program received assistance from the Tokyo Wholesale Market Sanitation Inspection Station and companies in the food industry to conduct activities that included a farming facility tour and technical training at Sakata Station, as well as training and a tour of actual freezing/refrigeration technology and food inspections at the Tsukiji Fish Market.
The seminar strove to deepen friendly relations between Japan and Turkey through home stays and get-togethers. Participants met with local residents and received the support of the Minato Ward Office and international exchange associations. The students themselves designed and implemented various projects in this seminar, and it was also one in which they became able to recognize the importance of learning about overseas exchanges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left: Tuna freezer tour
Right: Tea ceremony held by students

 

 

■Student Comments

 

Mr. Kigen TAKAHASHI（Faculty of Marine Science）
For me, participating in this seminar was a wonderful experience like none I’ve had before. That’s because until now my perspective has been confined to within Japan, but I was able to become globally aware for the first time, making me feel that there are greater possibilities ahead for me. Based on this experience, I’d like to have more opportunities to help in further developing both Japan and Turkey in the future.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Kamil Mert ERYALCIN (Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University)

It was very exciting to see a part of the most recent development in the research on tuna farming in this seminar. I hope this kind of exchange programs continues and will help developing the cooperation between Turkey and Japan in the future.

 

 

 

Ms. Nurdeniz KONAK (Faculty of Fisheries, Ege University)
TUMSAT was where my dreams came true. The seminars at Shinagawa and Etchujima were very useful and I am fortunate to meet such wonderful teachers and students. I will never forget rich Japanese culture, daily life, delicious Japanese food, and kind Japanese people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Ibrahim Ender KUNILI (Faculty of Fisheries, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University)

Japan is one of the most important countries in fisheries and marine sciences. New ideas came to me in Japan while listening to the seminars and seeing the Tsukiji Fish Market. I will try my best to make the best of this experience for my own research in the future.

 

 

 

 

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Commemorative photo at the closing ceremony

 

<Overseas university> Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
<Location> Malaysia
<Seminar period> December 6 to December 16, 2009
<Number of participants>

• Kagoshima University: 14 faculty members, 28 students
• Univeriti Malaysia Terengganu: 3 faculty members, 10 students

Led by Professor Toshihiro Ichikawa from the Faculty of Science, this seminar was organized around the theme listed above. The first half included a lecture and subsequent discussions about Malaysia and Kagoshima's marine environments and changes in these environments over time. Students from Terengganu impressed us with their eagerness to discuss the topic, actively commenting and asking questions throughout the session.
During our visit to Sakurajima - where the air was filled with a sulfurous smell - everyone gazed up at Mt. Sakurajima, amazed by its magnitude.

 

 

Left: Keynote lecture

Right: Visit to Sakurajima

The second half of the seminar was a two-night, three-day excursion to Minamata City and the Ariake Sea region. We toured the drainage channel that discharged the mercury-contaminated water which caused Minamata disease and went to the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum. We also visited Higata Park in Okawa City to observe living creatures in a "live" mudflat, went to observe a "dead" mudflat where marine life was wiped out by the Isahaya Bay land reclamation project, and toured the closed, 7-km long levee along the Isahaya Bay. All of these left strong impressions on the participating students.
During the seminar, visiting students also had an opportunity to stay with local families, spending one night and two days closely interacting with Japanese people and experiencing Japanese culture.

 

Left: Visit to Higata Park

Right: Farewell party

 

 

Mr. Orita Ryo, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University
"First of all, it was a very stimulating experience for me to participate in this program at Kagoshima University, seeing the presentations by foreign researchers and hearing about the research being conducted by local researchers in Malaysia. Secondly, those lectures raised our interest in Malaysia and helped us to get a better understanding of the county. I think this was probably true for the Malaysian students, too, that it gave them a great opportunity to learn about and take a greater interest in Kagoshima and Japan. I was able to tell that they had a great attitude towards the lectures and were very eager to learn. It was also a good opportunity to see the importance of English communication skills in a fresh light. Throughout the seminar, I was constantly reminded of it as I tried to understand the details of the research and communicate with the students from Malaysia."

 

 

Ms. Wan Nurzalia binti Wan Saelan, Institute of Oceanography, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

”It’s truly a life changing experience to me. The first three days we sat in the Kagoshima University campus, listened to talks by professors from UMT and Kagoshima University. These talks were important because they act as a very detailed overview of current environmental situation in Kagoshima. From there, we had field trips to Sakurajima, Minamata Bay, the Ariake Sea and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Centre. It is very inspiring to know that despite too much damage had been done, the local people have learned their lesson very well and the government managed to enforce guidelines and regulations to be followed by everyone. From these field trips, all of us from UMT have also realized that it is very important to protect our environment from degradation."

 

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Training camp in Aso-Kuju

 

<Overseas university> National Changhua University of Education
<Location> Taiwan
<Seminar period> November 9 to November 18, 2009
<Number of participants>

• Fukuoka University of Education: 20 faculty members and 24 students
• National Changhua University of Education: 4 faculty members and 12 students

 

Seminar detail
This seminar was held for the purpose of:
- Deepening the mutual understanding of students and faculty members from both universities by learning about the society and culture of Japan and Taiwan.
- Further promoting education and research exchanges by studying about the current status of special needs education.

The following activities were organized during the seminar:

1. Visits to a local elementary school and university-affiliated elementary/junior high schools, with presentations to elementary school children given by students from the National Changhua University of Education
2. Classes in English education and special needs education
3. Classes in Japanese martial arts (kendo) education, Japanese food culture education (Japanese cooking skills), and writing at our school, as well as introductions to Japanese culture
4. Observation of a Science class and a tour of the Special Needs Education Center
5. Tour of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty Memorial Hall (The Shunpanro Hall) and Akama Shrine
6. Training camp in Aso-Kuju area, facilitating exchanges of opinion among students
   

 

Left: Martial art practice in Japan (kendo)

Right: Eating grilled tofu in Aso

 

After having a good workout wearing protective gear and swinging bamboo swords (shinai) in the Japanese martial art (kendo) class, the students tried their hand at Japanese cooking in the Japanese food culture class. Not having cooked on a regular basis, both the Japanese and Taiwanese students found themselves grinding sesame seeds with wooden pestles and awkwardly using knives. But thanks to the assistance from home economics students, they were able to prepare their dinner without a problem. Everyone seemed to be satisfied at the dinner table.

Even though the cold weather at the training camp in Aso-Kuju was hard on the Taiwanese students coming from 30-degree weather, the friendship between the Japanese and Taiwanese students strengthened, and their heated discussions continued late into the night.

At the memorial symposium titled "Future Possibilities for Exchanges between Our Universities," four presenters suggested what the future exchanges should encompass by explaining the way the exchanges have evolved and providing perspectives from their areas of expertise. Topics related to exchange student programs, academic exchange programs, and reciprocal visits of faculty members were also discussed. Going forward, the tie between these universities is expected to become stronger.

 

 

Left: Visiting Hatchobaru Geothermal Power Plant in very cold weather

Right: Observing a science lesson

 

 

From the participating students

Mr. Hun-Han Ko, Graduate Student, Graduate Institute of Chinese, National Changhua University of Education

"I'm very thankful that I was able to participate in this seminar. I saw the differences concerning education in Japan and Taiwan during our visit to schools. And I experienced Japan's rich culture and nature while touring landmarks. Although I have been studying Japanese for some time, I had never actually interacted with Japanese people until this seminar. I became friends with Japanese students and talked about many different things, which helped us gain a better understanding of each other. I will never forget the kindness the faculty members and students from Fukuoka University of Education displayed towards us. It was a very short trip, but we grew from experiencing many new things. This seminar will definitely be an unforgettable memory for us. Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone who gave us this opportunity. Thank you so much for your assistance."

 

Mr. Hikaru Yashiki, Program of Coexistence Education, Fukuoka University of Education

"Participating in this seminar allowed me to experience and learn many things. The opportunity to exchange views on the relationship between our countries, our commonalities and differences, and on good education, especially with those enthusiastic Taiwanese students and their professors, who share the same aspirations with us as educators, was very meaningful. Making comparisons with Taiwan also allowed me to see many things about Japan in a different light. I'm grateful that I was blessed with such a valuable opportunity."

 

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<Japanese university>

Hokkaido University, Muroran Institute of Technology, Kitami Institute of Technology

<Overseas university>

Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Chulalongkorn University(CU), King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)
<Location> Thailand
<Seminar period> October 6 to 16, 2009 (Advance lecture, preliminary competition, etc.: August 1 to October 5 2009)
<Number of participants>

• Host University: 4 faculty members, 7 students
• Overseas university: 3 faculty members, 12 students

 

Commemorative photo at the opening ceremony

 

Seminar detail
Jointly organized by three universities in Japan and three universities in Thailand, this project was for students from Thailand and Japan to work together to develop recommendations for traffic safety measures in Thailand by learning from the example of Japan, where the traffic accident death toll was reduced to one-third of the highest number in the past. It ultimately aims to address the rapidly increasing number of traffic accidents in Asia.

 

1. Advance lecture and preliminary competition among Thai students
   An advance lecture and a preliminary policy recommendation competition were held via a video conference connecting Chulalongkorn University over the Internet. Four teams from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), two teams from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), and four teams from Chulalongkorn University (CU) participated in the competition. Twelve students from the six winning teams were invited to come to Japan.
   
   
2. Initial joint study facilitated by students sent from Japan
   Five students from the three Japanese universities were sent over to Thailand in order to jointly prepare for the competition, collecting and analyzing data with the selected teams. Indoor experiments (at AIT)
   
   
3. Program for visiting Thai students
   In addition to attending a special lecture on traffic safety policy and measures in Japan, we visited public administration facilities and research organizations related to traffic safety, such as the Hokkaido Police Headquarters, the Traffic Control Center, the Hokkaido Police's driving test facility, driving schools, and the Civil Engineering Research Institute for Cold Region. At the Kitami Institute of Technology, we discussed traffic safety evaluation using a driving simulator. We also discussed traffic demand management and safety at the Muroran Institute of Technology.
   
   
4. Final Recommendation Symposium
   The six teams that were invited to Japan presented their final traffic safety policy recommendations at the symposium, after revising their presentations based on what they had learned and seen while in Japan. The symposium was broadcasted via the Internet to KMUTT, the Muroran Institute of Technology, and the Kitami Institute of Technology, facilitating a lively Q&A session. The symposium drew more than 90 attendees, including about 50 students from the Hokkaido University and 10 attendees from the general public.
   

  Left: Traffic safety policy recommendation competition (CU)

  Right: Indoor experiments (at AIT)

 

 

  Left: Experiencing a driving simulator (Kitami Institute of Technology)

  Right: Presentation at the final symposium

 

From the participating students

Ms. Natthakarn Waiyanate, Asian Institute of Technology
"Each program was very good, though it may have been better to have more time for discussion. All of the lectures were very useful, and helped all of the students understand in a short time. A wonderful for all of us not only open the overview for transportation safety but also can help all students communicated is well. We can learn some pass of transportation by the real situation and made all of us get and understood easier. This was a great opportunity to gain experience with new technology and innovations through exchange with Japan. After completing this program I will work to improve road safety in Thailand."

 

 

 

Mr. Ryo Fujii, 2nd year student at the Graduate School of Engineering Hokkaido University
"I think this exchange seminar had a well-balanced agenda, with both field trips and lectures relating to the central theme. Each lecture was also excellent, containing useful information pertaining to the specific topic. The lively discussions we had, which were largely borne out of the Thai students’ eagerness to participate, left a great impression on me. Through this, we were able to exchange various opinions and share very productive time. Working together on research with Thai students was stimulating in many ways - I saw difference in how we think, realized the need for better communication skills, and so on. The places that we visited were very suitable in understanding traffic safety policy and measures in Japan. We had an excellent exchange experience, not only within the context of the program but also in simply spending time together, eating and sightseeing."

 

 

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Experiencing Japanese calligraphy

 

 

<Overseas university> Institute of Technology Surabaya
<Location> Indonesia
<Seminar period> August 23 to September 5, 2009
<Number of participants>

• Kobe University: 5 faculty members, 25 students
• Institute of Technology Surabaya: 2 faculty members, 12 students

 

Seminar detail
In addition to lectures on disaster prevention and the environment, this seminar provided a variety of programs in English, including visits to the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution (Kobe city) and the Nojima Fault Preservation Museum (Awaji city), marine experience at the Awaji Marine Practice Facility of the International Marine Education Research Center (Minamiawaji city), Kobe port cruising on the training ship, "Fukaemaru" and group discussions and presentations.

Participants learned about the fishing industry in Hyogo Prefecture and ocean-related environmental issues at the Hyogo Prefecture Marine Fisheries Research Center. The center is predominantly active in farming fishery practices, and participants were able to see and touch the fish farmed there.

In addition, students from the Institute of Technology Surabaya looked over materials in a serious manner at a Nojima Fault Preservation Museum feature describing the damage caused by the Great Hanshin Earthquake and seemed to be surprised upon seeing the size of the actual Nojima fault. The Nojima Fault Preservation Museum also had a feature where visitors could experience the effects of the Great Hanshin Earthquake firsthand, and the students from the Institute of Technology Surabaya actively participated in it.

As a way to introduce the cultures of both countries, the students of the Institute of Technology Surabaya showed how to play the traditional Indonesian bamboo instrument, the Angklung, while being taught Japanese culture in the form of Japanese calligraphy and origami.

Everyone had a great time at the farewell party with entertainment provided for by students of both universities performing Indonesian traditional dance and singing.

Students of both universities are still engaged in proactive exchanges even after the seminar.

 

 

Left: Boarding the training ship, "Fukaemaru"

Right: Indonesian students

 

From the participating students

Mr. Satoshi Machida, Kobe University

"Both Indonesia and Japan are island countries that have many earthquakes. This seminar, which coincided with Disaster Prevention Day (September 1), provided a good opportunity to think deeply about disaster prevention.
In addition to the lecture, we shared the student dormitory and lived under the same roof on Awaji Island. This type of experience made me constantly feel the joy of understanding each other's views of the world. I am deeply appreciative of JASSO for having given me such an opportunity."

 

Raditya Hendra Pratama, Institute of Technology Surabaya

"Not only was this my first time to visit Japan this was also my first experience as an exchange student. At first I felt both happy and nervous about the prospect of joining this seminar. But by the time of the seminar, I had already gotten used to life in Japan. The seminar itself was very interesting and the main purpose and the underlying meaning of the seminar were easy to understand. This seminar provided a valuable opportunity to see that Japan and Indonesia are countries which have a very big potential for natural disasters, so the exchange of information and ideas will be of special benefit for both countries to prepare themselves in facing the disasters that could potentially happen in the future. Therefore I am grateful to have participated in this seminar and hopefully I can pass on all the knowledge I have taken away from the seminar as best as I can to as many people as possible. Last but not least, I wish to thank JASSO and Kobe University for providing the support needed to make the seminar a success. I hope that this seminar could be held again, both in Japan and in Indonesia. "

 

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Visiting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

 

<Overseas university> Hanyang University
<Location> Korea
<Seminar period> August 8-19, 2009
<Number of participants>

• University of Tsukuba: 6 faculty members, 18 students
• Hanyang University: 2 faculty members, 12 students

 

Seminar detail
Japanese and Korean cities have similar foundations and social and cultural backgrounds. Their common issues are a failing birthrate, an aging population, the concentration of the population in large cities, and traffic congestion. This seminar was a valuable opportunity for participating students to learn about urban regeneration projects in both countries and to hold lively discussions based on environmentally-aware urban regeneration case examples that were thought to be of great mutual reference. Such case examples included the restoration project of the river Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, urban regeneration of the Tokyo metropolitan area, and urban development integrated with the countryside along the Tsukuba Express line.

 

Left: Explanations using an urban map

Right: Students working in groups

 

Students listened to the lectures by faculty members of both universities, visited sites to receive specialist commentaries, held discussions in groups and gave presentations. By doing so, they learned about the efforts made in both Korea and Japan to regenerate urban areas for the purpose of establishing a sustainable society. They also learned the importance of future exchanges in the field of urban planning based on their mutual understanding of what is common and different between Korea and Japan. Participants also investigated actual urban regeneration project sites in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Roppongi Hills, Omotesando Hills, Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho, as well as Tsukuba Science City, areas along the Tsukuba Express line, and an urban development project for the development of a site with a historical environment (Makabe district in Sakuragawa city, Ibaraki). This seminar was extremely meaningful in deepening the understanding of participants of both countries as to how to establish a cooperative relationship for the regeneration of urban areas in both Korea and Japan.

 

 

Left: Visiting an urban regeneration site in Roppongi, Tokyo

Right: Presenting research results

 

From the participating students
Mr. Jeonghoon Bae, Graduate Student, Department of Urban Planning/Management and Transportation Planning, Graduate School of Urban Studies, Hanyang University
"By participating in this international university-exchange seminar, I was able to learn of the similarities and differences of views held on urban regeneration, which has recently become a major issue in both countries. It was a good opportunity to learn a wide range of views on urban centers and about ways to approach urban issues through having discussions with students whose viewpoints differed from mine. In addition to presenting research results and working in groups, we visited actual sites and listened to detailed explanations from specialists. This led us to understand issues more deeply. I think that such experiences make holding an international exchange seminar such as this truly significant. I look forward to having further opportunities for deeper exchanges in the future."

 

 

Mr. Masanori Oshiro, Graduate Student, Department of Risk Engineering, Graduate School of Systems and Information Engineering, University of Tsukuba
"By participating in this seminar and working in groups, I found out that while Korea and Japan share many cultural similarities, there are also many differences between the two in terms of the efforts made towards, the awareness of, and the process of urban development, and that these differences may serve as a useful reference for one another. I hope this seminar will continue to create more opportunities to exchange information regarding urban development in the future."

 

 

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Group photo of students from the UY and CMU

 

<Overseas university> China Medical University
<Location> People’s Republic of China
<Seminar period> August 4-13, 2009
<Number of participants>

• University of Yamanashi: 6 faculty members, 34 students
• China Medical University: 2 faculty members, 8 students

 

Seminar detail

The seminar was implemented as an exchange program between the University of Yamanashi (UY) and China Medical University (CMU). It was held at the UY with ten members from the fourth-year Japanese language class at CMU, including teachers, visiting between August 4 and 13 for studies centering on the discipline of pathology offered in Japan.

 

The students of CMU, who were fluent in the Japanese language, listened to the same level of lectures at the UY Faculty of Medicine as the Japanese students, and deepened their knowledge of pathology. In a tour of the University Hospital, they learned the medical system and operation method of Japanese hospitals. And in an exchange session, they and the Japanese students gave presentations about the differences in their countries’ medical systems and introduced each other to school life in the other country.

 

 

Left: Classroom lecture
Right: Students’ discussion session

 

The students also held exchanges through sporting activities, took an outdoor bath in a Japanese hot spring, and climbed to the fifth station of Mt. Fuji by bus, although unfortunately clouds hid the peak from view. The visiting students even experienced the ordinary Japanese lifestyle through homestays.

 

Through their ten-day stay in Japan, the students from China deepened their knowledge of pathology, gained an understanding of not only the differences in the medical system but also the similarities and differences in campus life between the two countries, and were presented with a firsthand view of Japanese culture as well as the ordinary, dressed-down way of life in Japan. These experiences have enabled them to broaden their horizon; and they certainly had the same effect on the Japanese students who interacted with their guests. The exchange program was covered by the local media and introduced throughout Yamanashi Prefecture.

 

 
Left: A tour of the UY Hospital
Right: Climbing Mt. Fuji

 

From the participating students

 

 

Mr. Aoki Tadashi , Senior student, University of Yamanashi
"The students from China Medical University who participated in this seminar experienced on- and off-campus life in Japan, and appeared to fully enjoy interacting with Japanese medical students. Watching them was encouraging; they spurred my enthusiasm toward daily studies and the prospect of studying abroad. Thank you for this valuable experience."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Nan Hai tian, Senior student, China Medical University
"Anyone can live a happy life in China as long as they have money. Yet the most important thing in life is the Japanese people’s attitude to be ‘kind to the environment and kind to others.’ People exist as individuals that make up one large group and are blessed with individual obligations and responsibilities. I was motivated to work even harder and participate in further exchanges with the Japanese academic field of medicine in the future."

 

 

 

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Group photo at the ikebana hands-on class

 

<Overseas university> Ming Chuan University
<Location> Taiwan
<Seminar period> August 4-13, 2009
<Number of participants>

• Yamagata University: 5 faculty members, 12 students
• Ming Chuan University: 3 faculty members, 12 students

 

 

 

Seminar detail
The seminar was realized through the co-organization of the Mizuho International Federation, the Japan Student Services Organization, and Yamagata University.

 

It was based in the Japanese Culture class, one of the subjects of Yamagata University’s Japanese Language Course for international students, and designed to offer a deep understanding of the traditional culture and abundant nature of Yamagata, and the lives of the people who cherish them. Both Taiwanese and Japanese students and faculty members experienced the tea ceremony culture, ikebana flower arrangement, ceramic art, and wooden kokeshi doll painting. And through it, they gained the perfect opportunity to appreciate traditional Japanese culture and also enjoy and discover the importance of exchanges between different cultures.

 

The students of Ming Chuan University had a taste of ordinary Japanese lifestyle in a three-day, two-night homestay during the session. They also participated as dancers in Hanagasa Matsuri, one of the four major festivals of the Tohoku region; visited Yamadera temple, famous as one of the stops in Matsuo Basho’s travel diary The Narrow Road to the Interior; and toured a factory run by a local company. These activities enabled them to get a true feel for the culture of Yamagata and at the same time form close friendships with the local people.

 

The ten-day session closed with the students of both countries in tears as they promised to see each other again. The seminar gives high hopes for even further exchange between the faculty members, as well as the students, of the two universities in the future.

 

 

Left: Visiting Yamadera temple
Right: Students participating in the Hanagasa dance

 

 

From the participating students

 

 

Ms. Wu Shuxin, Ming Chuan University
"The seminar was very fulfilling, with many lectures on traditional Japanese culture. The etiquette at a Japanese tea ceremony, the different ways of tying the obi sash when wearing a kimono… Everything has a unique meaning. I was able to experience many different facets of Japanese culture. I thank all the teachers for this."

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Takeda Mayuki, Yamagata University
"The seminar made me realize that my connection with traditional Japanese culture had not been as close as I’d thought. It was my fourth visit to Yamadera temple, for instance, but this time I found deep meaning in the details I didn’t give much thought to before. It was like I truly experienced the fundaments of the Japanese people’s way of thinking."

 

 

 

 

 

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