We, the International Institute of Multi-Cultural Studies, a non-profit organization based in Gunma prefecture, organized an international exchanges program. The official language of this program was Japanese. This August, we held “Gunma cup – an Exchange Program － ”. It was planned and ran by student members of IIMS, We invited 4 Indonesian students. Those students were the winners of “Gunma Cup －Japanese speech and essay contest －” held in May, 2015 in Indonesia. Four Indonesian students and the Gunma cup staff exchanged mainly in Gunma prefecture.
On behalf of the all member, I’ll report the Exchange Program, and give my thought. We prepared 3 events in Gunma. First is “daigaku (university) tour”： a campus tour of Gunma university. There, 4 Indonesian students felt the real life of Japanese students. In the library they read books on Japanese education with enthusiasm and at the university cafeteria, they were surprised by the systematized Japanese cafeteria. “hataraku (working) talk” is the informal gathering in which they talked with foreign people who work in Gunma. Indonesian students got some valuable information about Japanese society, especially by the working condition of foreigners in Japan. In “seikatsu (living in Japan) talk”, we talked about how foreign students spend their lives in Gunma, and Japan. Thanks to Multicultural Community Advancement Officer, who supported foreign students in Gunma, we were able to spend great moments together. Indonesian students were able to have concrete image of student life in Japan and also Japanese staff learned the problems and troubles foreign students face in Japan. We also enjoyed Kusatu-onsen spa, experienced shodo (calligraphy), felt Japanese family life through their homestay experiences.
We felt great pleasure because 4 Indonesian students enjoyed their stay in Japan. However, we felt the difficulty of hospitality at the same time: For example, I felt it when we ate something. I always care whether it used pork or not. It’s important for Muslims to get information of meal when they stay country don’t take halal for granted like Japan. We can enjoy eating out because some restaurant and souvenir shop show us about ingredients.
In about 10 days, I learned what it takes to become real friends in spite of the differences. To connect with friends from other countries directly is undoubtedly necessary for us, if we wish global peace. Therefore, we want to continue our Gunma cup and are supposed to effort to hold again in next year.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for all supported us.
