Japanese-Language Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields 2-month course
Japanese-Language Program for Specialists in Cultural and Academic Fields （2-month course）
Period: June 22- August 17, 2011
★Hot Voices from four participants of the program
The 2-monthscourse is not only about studying in the classroom, on the contrary, it offers its participants interesting study trips. This year we were lucky to go to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kobe. The trip to Kyoto was short but a busy one – we first got to see the world-famous, beautiful Kinkakuji, then were given the chance to make our own Yatsuhashi cookies and moved on to Kiyomizudera.
(Kyoto: Kiyomizudera)
The real fun though was to go on the three day Hiroshima trip. We were lodged on the Miyajima Island in a ryokan where we could take a long bath in an onsen. Now, don’t be too shy to do it because it’s a wonderful, fully Japanese, experience, especially that after the hot bath we wore light yukatas.The Japanese-stylesupper tasted heavenly afterwards. A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was very thought-provoking.
(Miyajima)
The greatest merit of the trips is that everyone gets closer. Thanks to this course we all got to meet fantastic people (i.e. each other) whom I’m sure none of us will ever forget.
Olasia (Poland)
The place where we were given training is Osaka which is fully covered by Culture with variety and politeness. But the kansai international center, located in rinku town deserves the conspicuously refinement air drifting as well as sophisticacy climate in the whole Osaka.I visited Japan for the second time and participated for the training which aimed at the Master student, librarian, p.h.d schlor.The procedure and the language used in the classes, I think comparatively higher level. The classes beginning from comprehensive, kanji, and discussion to conversation put a compact sense about Japan into brain. Each and every thought, ideas received from the classes during training period made me flexible, regarding the flavor of culture of Japan and different countries. The special discussion made once a week with the teacher’s gave me a special advantage to our study. More over, as all the teacher’s were friendly and fairly with us, it made easier for the students to brushing up our selves.
However I received an unimaginable consideration from the receptionist of the centre and moppers of the room, I allotted and at this, I can not help thinking that I always was with my family. I would like to convey a special thank for them.
As a part of training travel we were sent to kyoto,a heritage site and famous for culture, and to Hiroshima, it moved my conscience much, in addition to, the cultural exchange programme between the Kobe university students and us, extended my knowledge related to the taste and the flavor of Japanese culture and Japanese history.
We,32 students under one roof dined together, enjoyed barbecued on the nearest sea beach(Marble beach) .The moments we had entangled us in a deep friendship with one another.
During the training period for two months I was busier with my studies in the true sense, in the same way I have got the sense of accomplishment but at last the terrible end came to me ,I did not have the least intention to come back but……..
Sudipta, Das (India)
I think that there is no better place to research about Japan than Japan Foundation Kansai Center. Every day you can learn a lot of things (E.g. grammar, kanji, and conversation) with friendly and professional teachers, in a very easy and funny way. You have everything you need to concentrate in to your research subject, such as comfortable classrooms, a self-study room, and the kindness and support of the tutors and the whole staff.
In addition, the center's library is complete and very useful for researchers, since there you are able to find a lot of books, videos and other resources in Japanese and other languages; therefore you have the opportunity to develop your research on time.
By the way, the life in the center is wonderful, because you can not only discover a little bit more about Japanese culture through cultural activities such as Tanabata Matsuri, Ikebana, Yukata, Shodo, Wataiko, among others, but also you get a lot of friends from the whole world and they become your family while staying in the Center. I have a lot of good memories about them, especially at the beach and in the cafeteria, we always had dinner together and we used to share all kind of experiences. It was a time to enjoy while discovering about each other cultures, language and costumes too. You can open your mind to different ways of thinking and get a lot of good friends that you will always keep in your heart.
Yeny Echeverria Barajas
Universidad Pedagógica NacionalColombia
Be careful with when eating Japanese food ―Japanese culture
When we went to Hiroshima for the study trip, we stayed one night at a Japanese style hotel. In the morning we had a breakfast and I chose an egg. When I broke it to eat, the yolk came out and I got my pants dirty. It was a problem but good to know Japanese food culture.
Don’t lose the opportunity :)
When you participate in the program, you can expand your knowledge in your research field and also about Japanese culture. I think it will be very helpful for you.
Over a 2 month period, you can experience three cultural programs including yukata, wadaiko (Japanese drum), ikebana, tea ceremony, and calligraphy.
I chose Yucatan, Tea ceremony and Wadaiko. All programs were great but I enjoyed wadaiko especially because it was my first time. Actually I thought playing wadaiko was for men and it was difficult to learn how to beat, but I chose Wadaiko because I had never tried it.
In the wadaiko program, we were divided into three groups – white, blue and red. Each team had a teacher who taught short pieces to us in about 20 minutes.
After we practiced, three teams came together, played music we learned in turn, and we created a single piece of continuous music. At that time I felt as though wadaiko had become my close friend and was not my first time.
Don’t lose the opportunity to learn about and enjoy Japanese culture.
Reny (Egypt)
