19/02/2010

Closing Ceremony Held for Fall Term Intensive Japanese Language Program

On January 29, 2010 the Tokai Institute for Global Education and Research (TIGER) held the closing ceremony for its 2009 Fall Term Intensive Japanese Language Program at the Matsumae Memorial Hall on the Shonan Campus. This Program is for Japanese language trainees accepted based on the student exchange system. A total of twenty-five students including nineteen from Hanyang University (Korea), three from Cheongjyu University (Korea), two from the Kanagawa International Scholarship Program and one from Hawaii Tokai International College completed the Program and were awarded their certificate of completion.

At the closing ceremony, the students reported their experiences of the past four months on learning the Japanese language and Japanese culture. They shared about challenging themselves in the “Japanese Speech Contest” and participating in the “Tokai University International Fair.” (This fair introduces the culture and traditions of countries around the world.) Professor Sachie Miyagi, Assistant Executive Director of TIGER, awarded the students their certificate of completion and encouraged, “Please make the best of the Japanese language skills you have learned [in our Program] and strive to become a link to strengthen the friendship between your home country and Japan.” A guest to the ceremony, Associate Professor Park Kyu Tae, Head of the Department of Japanese Language and Culture at Hanyang University remarked, “A true meeting [between people] develops from having differences. Please use the experiences you have gained while living in Japan for the past six months to foster a friendship [between your home country and] Japan.”

The students shared their thoughts on their experiences: “The Japanese professors were very down-to-earth and kind. I will do my best to put my improved Japanese skills to good use.” (Student from Korea) “At first, I was barely able to speak a few words [of Japanese], however I now have more confidence as my language ability has gradually improved. From now on, I hope to try to communicate with many people and broaden my horizons.” (Student from Hawaii)

After the ceremony, the students enjoyed a joint party with other international students who are working towards enrolling at Tokai University and our Graduate School and are currently taking courses in the Japanese Language Course for Foreign Students.