Written by KANAKO
The first Gunma cup Speech and Essay Contest was held in Indonesia on 24th May 2015. Four winners will be invited to visit Japan by Student Exchange Team of the International Institute of Multi-Cultural Studies. The goal of Gunma cup is to make lasting relationship among young students. The project was planned and carried out by students of Japanese universities, with the help of Indonesian friends. The Judges, mostly, were student members of the International Institute of multi-Cultural Studies.
There were more than 50 applied, and in the preliminary selection 25 students were chosen to participate in the final contest. They all did great performance in this final contest. From their speeches and essays, the staff learned how enthusiastic and diligent the contestants were in their study of Japanese.
The contestants were given 60minutes to write an essay on the theme which was announced on that day, “What is a friend to you?” The student-Judges were impressed by the uniqueness of content and by the ability to write in Japanese. The speeches were well prepared and well presented. From those 25, four winners were chosen.
In addition to the contest, a Japanese exchange booth was set up. Conversation in Japanese wouldn’t stop. Generally speaking, the contest has a severe and solemn image. However, Gunma cup made us smile and become friends with each other by the comment of many contestants. All at the event enjoyed being there. Japanese students were able valuable experience to feel familiar to unfamiliar Muslim. we felt that the importance of understanding the different cultures through friends.
A student said that “I did not win. It was very disappointing. But, I am glad I got to meet a lot of people in this contest. I think that participating in the contest was the most important part of this contest. We hope that this contest is “start” for everyone.
The winners are scheduled to participate in many programs planned by the staff in August. They will have ample chance to meet many Japanese and become friends in the 11 day-visit to Gunma and Tokyo Japan.
