2015 Kyoto Summer School for Peking University Students (17-25 August)

The Kyoto Summer School for Peking University Students, a short-term study-abroad program hosted by Kyoto University's Organization for the Promotion of International Relations (OPIR), took place from 17 through 25 August with 15 selected students participating. Peking University (PU) is one of Kyoto University's student exchange partners.

The program was organized by OPIR in conjunction with Kyoto Prefecture's "Kyotry" program, which offers cultural tours and activities for students from other countries, and with cooperation from Kyoto University Asian Studies Unit (KUASU).

The Kyoto Summer School invites outstanding students from Asia's leading universities to experience Kyoto University's unique academic climate and cutting-edge research, and to learn about various aspects of the host country -- politics, international relations, economy, business environment, culture, tradition, history, society, and environmental and agricultural issues -- in the company of their Japanese counterparts. Its aim is to stimulate interest in working for regional peace and stability and in studying in Japan for longer periods.

Participants in this year's Summer School included undergraduate and master's students with a variety of academic interests.

The first half of the program included a courtesy visit to the Kyoto Prefectural Hall, where the visitors were greeted by Vice-Governor Shuichi Yamauchi and briefed on the prefecture's "Tomorrow's Kyoto" plans, which constitute a new pillar of Kyoto's administration management, before touring the Hall's former main building, an Important Cultural Property of Japan, including its assembly hall.

At Kyoto University, the students attended lectures on a range of topics, including: "Energy Issues and Sustainable Development of Human Civilization" by Associate Professor Benjamin-craig Mclellan of the Graduate School of Energy Science, "Food, Environment, and Life: Today and Tomorrow" by Naoshi Kondo of the Graduate School of Agriculture, "Investigating East Asia's Modern History" by Professor Kazu Nagai of the Graduate School of Letters, and "Japanese Sense of Beauty" by Associate Professor Sikiko Yukawa of the International Center. In addition, they listened to a presentation, delivered by Associate Professor Yoko Hamazaki of the Graduate School of Medicine, on the leading-edge medical research that is underway at her school, and took part in a laboratory tour.

The second half of the program consisted of field trips to various locations across the prefecture, designed to introduce the participants to Japan's and Kyoto's traditional cultures. Places visited included: Koho Tatsumura's Nishiki-weaving studio; Adachi Kumihimokan, where the participants experienced Japanese braid-making; Marukyu-Koyamaen, where they toured the tea inspection room and tasted and made matcha (powdered green tea); a farm in Nantan City, where they harvested and cooked local Kyoyasai (Kyoto's heirloom vegetables); the Kayabuki-no-sato Kitamura village, where they strolled amongst thatched-roof houses and took part in mochi (rice cake) pounding; and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Joining the participants during the summer week were about a dozen KU students, who actively contributed to the program as "supporters". They attended the same lectures and participated in the same activities as their Chinese counterparts, resulting in the forging of transnational friendships.

The Summer School proved to be a valuable opportunity for the students from both universities to improve their cross-cultural understanding, foreign-language proficiency, and international relationship skills.

Several of the PU students who participated in the program have since shown an interest in returning to Japan for their postgraduate studies. It is anticipated that, by serving to increase contacts between the next generation of leaders in the two countries, this and similar initiatives will contribute to greater mutual understanding between Japan and China.