Kochi Experience-based Short-term Exchange Program Conducted
From Sunday, July 26 to Monday, August 3, the Kochi Experience-Based Short-Term Exchange Program was conducted. This program was organized by the Center for International Collaboration for the first time, and from the Kochi University’s partner universities, a total of 20 participants that included four students from Anhui University, nine from Northeastern University (NEU), Qinghuangdao Branch in China, six exchange students from Myongji University in South Korea and one faculty from the NEU, Qinghuangdao Branch participated in the program.
In the program, the participants received a lecture on the unique Kochi cultural affairs and Japanese culture in general to improve their international understanding, and they observed the presentation of the cross-cultural understanding class.
During the field observation and the experience-based activities, students observed a bonito cutting and filleting demonstration held on the campus and experienced a traditional straw roasted cooking of bonito with the help of the municipal officials of Kuroshio Town, famous as a bonito fishing ground. At the Inocho Paper Museum, after learning about the history of Japanese washi papers and observing the processes of making Tosa Washi, they experienced hand-made washi paper making. In Aki City, they observed the traditional streets lined with samurai houses and the Clock Tower called Nora-Dokei that has been keeping accurate time for over 120 years. In Muroto City, they took a cruise, viewing the unique landscape of houses with walls white-washed using Tosa plaster, water drip roof tiles and the Muroto’s grand geography jutting out into the Pacific Ocean from the sea.
Here are some of the comments made by the participants of the program: “My Japanese language skills have been improved. I could gain a better understanding of Japanese culture and Kochi culture among other things. I’d like to study at Kochi University and also live in Kochi.” “I had an opportunity to interact with overseas students as well as Japanese people, and the experience helped me understand the different cultures.”
| July 26 (Sun) | Arrival at Kochi |
| July 27 (Mon) | Moring: Opening ceremony, Orientation, Campus tour Afternoon: Visits to Makino Botanical Garden and Chikurin-ji Temple |
| July 28 (Tue) | Morning: Introduction to Kochi cultural affairs Afternoon: Inocho Paper Musuem Observation of Tosa Washi paper making, experience handmade washi paper making |
| July 29 (Wed) | Morning: Lecture on Japanese culture, etc. Afternoon: Participation in the cross-cultural understanding class presentation Evening: Observation of the demonstration of traditional straw roasted cooking of bonito fillet Night: Welcome Party & social gathering |
| July 30 (Thu) | Morning: Lecture on Japanese culture, etc. Afternoon: Visits to Katsurahama beach, Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Hall and Kochi Liberty and People’s Rights Museum |
| July 31 (Fri) | Morning: Visit to Aki City Nora Dokei Clock Tower Afternoon: Observation of the cityscapes of Kira Town in Muroto City, Geopark Center(Accommodation: National Youth Outdoor Learning Center) |
| August 1 (Sat) | Morning: Mini-cruising experience, observation of Muroto Geopark Afternoon : Visits to Ya・Shi Park, Akaoka Ekin Museum |
| August 2 (Sun) | Morning: Visits to Kochi Castle, Hirome Market, Sunday Market Afternoon: Observation tour of the AEON Mall Kochi |
| August 3 (Mon) | Completion of the program, Return home |
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