First-ever "International Student Exchange Event" held – Approximately 225 international students from 16 countries participated.

On Thursday, July 9th, the "International Student Exchange Meeting" was held for the first time within the "International Understanding for Studying Abroad" class, attended by approximately 225 students and international students from 16 countries and regions.

This exchange meeting was planned based on a proposal proposed by the university's university-wide council Globalization Promotion Committee last year, titled "Creating Exchange Opportunities Between International Students and Japanese Students." With the support of students and faculty at the committee meeting held last December, it has been implemented starting this semester. Based on the spirit of "dialogue" led by founder Professor Daisaku Ikeda, the aim is to foster a global perspective through dialogue that transcends nationality and cultural differences.

On the day, participants deepened their interactions through the venue through "Cultural Bingo," and group talks with international students were held. The countries and regions of origin of the international students spanned a wide range of countries, including the United States, Israel, India, Indonesia, Canada, South Korea, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, China, New Zealand, Brazil, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar. They were able to hear directly about the social systems and social conditions of each country and region, university life, language, traditional events, food culture, and tourist destinations, making it a lively and interactive space.

Voices from participating students

• My interest in New Zealand has deepened even further. In particular, I learned many new things, such as its rich natural environment and language learning opportunities. I learned about the culture that cherishes the Maori language and the value of friendships fostered there, and I would like to experience it myself someday.
• Interacting with students from Taiwan strengthened my desire to "speak English more," "learn more about Taiwan," and "share more about Japan." Cultural Bingo was a lot of fun, as I was able to interact not only with international students but also with other students in the same class. I realized that interacting with people greatly broadens one's perspective.
• This exchange event allowed me to learn deeply about the complex situation in Myanmar through dialogue with international students from the country. In particular, their discussions about the nature of autonomy and the challenges faced by local areas supplemented the fragmented knowledge I had gained from news reports and provided a great opportunity to understand the reality on the ground. I realized that even within a single country, there are diverse ethnic groups and regional backgrounds, and I strongly felt that I should not easily generalize things.
• I had the opportunity to interact with international students from China and Taiwan. I was nervous at first, but through cultural bingo, I was able to start conversations naturally and deepen my understanding of each other while having fun. I was impressed to learn about the similarities and differences between Japan and other countries as we talked about our hometowns, languages, and hobbies. In particular, I was surprised to learn that even within the same Kanji cultural sphere, there are differences in language usage and lifestyles. In the group discussion, we talked about each other's student lives and future goals, and I felt that we had common aspirations for the future and attitudes towards learning. I would like to actively participate in future opportunities to interact with international students, deepen my understanding of diverse cultures, and broaden my own horizons.
• At Cultural Bingo, I had the opportunity to interact with international students from South Korea and Brazil. We had lively conversations about shared hobbies and various other topics, making it a very meaningful experience. Initially, we were all gathered together as Japanese students, but I feel I've grown a little by being able to initiate conversations with the international students. In the group discussion, I interacted with an international student from Taiwan, and we talked about the charms of Taiwan and what we like about Japan. I enjoy talking to various people in English, so this interaction was a very valuable time for me.