Community Exchange Projects and Voices of Participants
- HOME
- Community Exchange
- Information for Students
- Community Exchange Projects and Voices of Participants
Introduction to Community Exchange Products
International students are sometimes invited by elementary/junior high schools or various organizations in the local community for cross-cultural interchange or special events. These meaningful activities will deepen your knowledge of Japanese culture and customs.
Please be sure to avoid activities that interfere with your classes or research, and check your state of health before participating.
Sometimes students receive monetary compensation for joining an event. In that case, you must have obtained a part-time work permit beforehand.
Information on various activities will be distributed via email by the International Office.
Past Examples of Events
- Visit an elementary school and introduce your culture, language, or traditional children's games to the students.
- Experience Japanese traditional culture or events such as Japanese calligraphy, the tea ceremony or mochi making with local people.
- Participate in activities such as the boy scouts and learn about local culture with Japanese children.
- Teach how to cook some traditional food of your country in a cooking class in the local community.
Besides the above-mentioned events, the international exchange organizations of the local prefectural governments and volunteer groups often plan events as a way to further bring together international students and the local community
Achievements from Past Assignments
Achievements in the 2015 Academic Year: 44 times
Achievements in the 2016 Academic Year: 44 times
Achievements in the 2017 Academic Year: 52 times
Voices of Participants
Accounts from international students who have participated in community exchange projects:
MUSTAFA SULEIMAN SALIHU (Nigerian)
I have participated in a variety of community exchange projects, including trial tours for international visitors and introducing my country at nursery schools and high schools. During one of these activities, a tour that visited the coast of Iwate Prefecture, I learned about how the area is recovering from the earthquake and about disaster-prevention initiatives thanks to careful explanations from local people. I remember being really surprised at how far the recovery has come in the short time since the quake. I've also visited high schools in Iwate Prefecture and listened to research presentations in English by science students. All the presentations were brilliant - just as good as those at a university. Opportunities to interact with local people are not just available within the university; these exchange projects are incredibly valuable chances to meet many different people, and I want to continue participating as much as I can.
PRUNIER FLORIANE CASSANDRE (French)
I love Japan's natural world and I am very interested in folk entertainment, so I happily participated when I had an opportunity to see some folk entertainment through a community exchange project. When I saw the "shishi" lion dance I really wanted to dance too, and I decided to join the university's folk entertainment circle. When I participated in a trial tour to Kamaishi City, we cycled along the coast on electric bicycles. I still remember the contrast between the mountains and the sea, and the beautiful color of the waters. I also won't forget the cookie tempura that we received, and the delicious taste of the wasabi we harvested. The trial tour was aimed at international tourists, and I informed the organizer of several of my opinions. I was able to learn about some of the unfamiliar appeals of Iwate, and it served as training for my Japanese at the same time.