Record of Our Activities

 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!!