Record of Our Activities

 On August 10th and 11th, 11 second-year SG course students joined the fieldwork in Shiramine area, Hakusan city.

On the first day, they visited Awazu plant of KOMATSU, a construction machinery company, and learned the business doctrine of it.  Also, people who were members of Hakusan-Shiramine-Makinokai and the mayor of Shiramine ward told us about the present situation and problems in Shiramine area.  On the Second day, each group researched their theme by interviewing local people and visiting several facilities.  People from Promotion Conference of Mt. Hakusan and Tedori River Geo-Park, the Conference of Shiramine Town Planning, and other concerned agencies helped them.

The students learned the unique culture which has developed in areas in the mountains near Mt. Hakusan, and thought about problems caused by depopulation or annexation of municipalities.  Their view was broadened and they considered the social problems Shiramine areas faced.

[the participants’ comments]

＊I thought the Awazu plant of KOMATSU was fascinating because employees made decisions considering the future.  They checked their goods again and again to improve the quality of their goods, and they contributed to the environment and local society.

＊It was a good point in Shiramine that mainly young people tried to realize revitalization in spite of depopulation and aging population with the birthrate of the community declining.

＊Vacant houses rot.  However, if someone lived in these houses, we wouldn’t have to break down these houses, and we could stop the dilapidation of the houses.

＊I heard about Geo-Park and Eco-Park in Hakusan city.  At Geo-park in Hakusan, the officers protected the bio-diversity of the environment, and they made good use of the environment for sightseeing.

 Second-year SG course students joined a special international exchange program called PII, and interacted with foreign students. 　PII－Princeton In Ishikawa－is a two-month training program for students learning Japanese language or Japanese culture at universities in America, like Princeton University.  The PII students are mainly from Princeton University.

After icebreakers, the participants had two activities.  The first one was exchanging their opinions about “abundance and community”－which was the main theme of the high school students’ research－with PII students in Japanese.  Some PII students made a speech about good points of Kanazawa City and Ishikawa Prefecture, and differences between their cultures and Japanese cultures by using pictures, presentation software and so on.

In the next activity, students discussed the research themes of the SG course students from a global point of view in English.  Many students actively communicated with PII students in English.  They might get novel opinions from PII students.  They will make good use of today’s presentations in their research and their fieldwork in the US.

[the participants’ comments]

＊When I asked a PII student a question about the history of the U.S., she answered so quickly.  I was surprised and I asked her why she knew so much about the U.S.  She answered, “It’s because I am American.”  Although I am Japanese, I don’t know about Japan in such detail.  I made up my mind to study more about Japan. 

＊Based on my experience of making a short speech, I admire the PII students very much because they made a speech without difficulty.  Also, the PII students had their own opinions, researched Ishikawa beforehand, answered each of my questions, and were so kind to me.  Thanks to them, I had a valuable experience.

＊It was difficult to explain our project and things peculiar in Japan.  However, PII students worked hard to understand us and told us their experiences from their hometown, so I will apply what I learned today to our research.

On June 18th, the second-year students visited Kyoto University Graduate School “Shishu-kan”.

They are planning the studies which they are researching in classes now. During this visit they listened to a lecture on how to research by blending social skills and science skills by Professor Kawai, and an introduction to astronomy research used in computer simulation by Mr. Hosono.  In addition, two graduate students introduced the contents and processes of the research.

Then, they made groups which had a graduate student as an adviser in each group.  They discussed their theme and the students got some advice in terms of their fields of specialty.

They are going to start researching using this advice from now on.

[the participants’ comments]

＊We discussed issues we hadn’t known about and made a new question, hypothesis and means to research clearly.  It’s a pity that we didn’t have enough time to ask more questions. 

＊I was inspired by the speech the graduate school students gave us. Especially, from the speech by Mr. Yamawaki, I remember that ‘clear awareness of problems involved’ and ‘logical hypothesis’ are important.  I will take advantage of knowledge I got from this induction.

＊Through this induction I recognized the importance of setting up a subject of our research.  I hope that I will be able to become a person like the graduate school students.

 On June 6th, a lecture ‘Learn from The Most Unique and Happiest Country, Bhutan’ was held for the third-year students.  Tomoki Nitta, the lecturer, has worked as the head of the JICA office in Bhutan for 3 and a half years from 2009 to 2012.  His lecture was so interesting that all the students enjoyed the 50-minute lecture.  They are going to write an essay for the JICA essay contest.

On the same day after school, some lectures were held for first-year and second-year students by two JICA staff members; one had tried music education in Uganda and the other had tried to develop villages in Rwanda.  The lectures based on their personal experiences were full of reality.  The audience listened to them earnestly.

[the participants’ comments]

＊I used to think, “I want to help people in Africa.”  But through this lecture I realized that this was wrong.  And I thought I want to help Japan through going to Africa.  Real happiness was something different from what I had been imagining. I would like to find it in my life.

＊I realized that through thinking about what we can do for other people or other places, we will be able to become more considerate.  When we go abroad, learning foreign languages is not the only thing that we can do.

 On May 5th, second-year SG course students interacted with 8 students and a teacher from Washington and Lee University who had stayed in Japan.

First, the American students introduced their university and their school life.  After playing “Human Bingo game” to get along with each other, all students divided into groups.  In each group, Japanese students explained Japanese culture to American students using pictures.

The Japanese students found it more difficult to speak English than they expected, but they really enjoyed talking with the American students. They are planning to interact with Princeton University students, to visit the US in October, and to get some advice about their research from foreign students in Japanese universities which have a connection with our school. These programs will improve their English skills.

[the participants’ comments]

＊I found it difficult to communicate in English.

＊I’m happy that I could talk a lot with the American students.

＊I was moved by the American students’ presentation.

＊It was a good opportunity for me because I could learn about an American University and I could improve my English skills.

＊I was surprised at several differences in educational conditions between in America and in Japan.

 From March 28th to 29th, the first-year students, who are supposed to join the SG course from April, visited United Nations University and looked for ideas to set their global research themes.  On the second day, their graduates played the role of an Instructor for the students who chose ‘Tokyo University of Foreign Studies course’ and ‘JICA course’.  They seemed to admire the graduates as their future models.  They enjoyed using what they had studied so far during the two days.

[ the participants’ comments]

＊I could not convey what I wanted to say or understand what other people said because it was in English.  I want to expand my English vocabulary to have a better conversation.

＊I think that people cannot get education due to poverty, so it is important to solve it.  Also I think I have to get over the language difficulty because it will be necessary to communicate with local people in their language.

＊I realized UNICEF did various operations such as making toilets, digging wells, or teaching various things to local people so that they would improve the lives of children in developing countries.

The students carried out ‘Japan Model United Nations Challenge Project’ on the Saturday afternoons of December 12th, January 23rd, February 6th, 13th, and March 5th.  On each occasion of this program, their graduate who is now studying at Kyoto University law department and other university students from the Kansai Office of JMUN undertook preparations and guidance.

《Discussion topics》

Dec. 12th  　　　　　 Nuclear test

Jan. 23rd  　　　　　 Addition of Security Council"

Feb. 6th and 13th  Kyoto Protocol

Through these discussions they gradually acquired the actual form of JMUN.  On March 5th, they had the final installment.  In the 5th meeting, they reviewed the activities so far and deepened the discussion about what an ideal international society should be.  As ambassadors of each country and representatives of the national interests, aiming at consensus formation during negotiations, they had the power to capture things from diverse positions and bring them to consensus while explaining their thoughts

[the participants’ comments]

＊At the time of entry, I was confident that I had the power to convince people. However, through this project I realized that my power was not understood at all.  Through this project, I decided to grow to become a leader who can convince people of his opinion, not just support them, by gaining the power to assert his own opinion.

＊Before applying, I was interested in the international community and the United Nations, so I’m glad that I understood the complexity of the international community and the structure of the United Nations.  I want to be good at bargaining by giving persuasive and convincing explanations.  I’ll try to understand current global issues and broaden my mind.

In the Presentation Contest, only one group from each class had a presentation which was chosen as a representative. They modified the context of their presentation and practiced a lot.  As a result, they gave a presentation in a dignified manner in front of all of the first-year students.  In the question and answer session, they and other students expressed their own opinions positively.

It’s important to use the knowledge and skills which they learned in the presentation in their studies in second grade.

＊MVG(the most valuable group) 

“How do we deal with the increase in the number of foreigners?” by 11H

＊SMVG(the second most valuable group)

“Refugee ~What’s happened in the hotel?~”   by 16H

＊SVG(the special valuable group)

“Silence and loneliness in Hakusan city ~How do we prevent young people from leaving Hakusan city?~”  by 14H

For the first-year students, it seemed useful when they choose a humanity class or a science class, and made them imagine life after the entrance to universities.  After school, the round-table talk with the graduates took place.  In the homey atmosphere, it was impressive that participants continuously asked questions.  It was also a good chance to improve the skill to deepen a discussion by asking questions. 

[the participants’ comments]

＊I sometimes become uneasy because I don’t know the meaning of study but I decided to study hard after hearing the phrase “Study is a key to open a door for the future”. My dream needs a lot of effort, so I want to learn what I don’t know.

＊Where and how I enjoy college life depends on how hard I can study now.  I am glad I could listen to the speech of medical school students. 

＊I feel like I have to study harder to increase the number of choices in my life and get the key to open the door.  I don’t want to study just to get knowledge and remember things.  I want to study actively.

＊Through this presentation from the graduates, what I learned first is that courses and universities are much more varied than I thought.  If I choose a university and a faculty without thinking, I may go to a world which doesn’t relate to my goal.  I realized again that thinking about the future from now is not too hasty.

＊I admired the university students because I heard they are enjoying college life and studying.  I realized I have to think about my course early.  

On October 23rd, Prof. Kawai and Mr. Saeki came from the research facility for advanced integrated studies in human survivability, “Shishu-kan,” Kyoto University Graduate School.

Prof. Kawai’s lecture title was ‘How to do your best in globalization – Fly from the cage－.’  She spoke about her experiences in foreign countries, the ways students should gain necessary English skills, and attitudes toward classes.  She gave the students an impressive message, “It is important to work on everything actively.”

Mr. Saeki, who is a graduate student, spoke about importance of thinking about Japan again by going overseas.  Every student seemed interested in going out into the world.

[Lecture Notes]

＊In learning English, it is necessary to memorize words with examples, and to use English-English dictionaries.  Also, it is necessary to repeat practices and study while enjoying music and movies.

＊It is important to talk actively with foreign friends without being afraid of making grammar mistakes.  Improving communication skills in Japanese is also important.

＊Attitudes in foreign countries:

＊Recognize the diversity of sense of value / discard an obsession with being always correct

＊Think that you learn from failure / you should not be afraid of challenges

＊Try to assert yourself

＊Things to do at school from now 

＊Master the basis of English and experience going abroad

＊Study widely and take part in internships and extra activities

＊It is important to work on everything actively!!