2016 Zhejiang University Spring School concludes (6-20 March 2016)

As part of the Short-Term Study Abroad Program under the Agreement on Inter-University Students Exchange (also known as the East Asia Short-Term Study Abroad Program), the 2016 Zhejiang University Spring School took place from 6 to 20 March in China.

With the full cooperation of Zhejiang University, this two-week program has been conducted with focuses on enhancing Chinese language proficiency, experiencing local culture, and promoting exchange among students from KU, Zhejiang University, and other international students from across the globe. Based on the good relationship between Kyoto University and Zhejiang University, this spring school has been held for the past six years, during which 73 KU students in total have taken part, including this year's twelve participants.

In the language lessons, KU students were grouped by Chinese proficiency, studying together with students from various countries, enabling them to not only hone their language skills, but also to practice communicating with students from around the world. They also took part in several hands-on programs to study Chinese culture, such as lectures on Chinese language and culture, and a tour of the city of Hangzhou.

In addition, a joint seminar was held with Zhejiang University students. Facilitated by Professor Naoshi Kondo of KU's Graduate School of Agriculture, students from both universities took part in an active discussion on agricultural problems and other issues. KU students also joined a class taught by Associate Professor A Lita of the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University, to discuss several topics with local students, such as Chinese and Japanese culture, daily and campus life, food, and job searching. Through the discussion, students from both sides deepened mutual understanding and further promoted exchange.

What participating students experienced through the program is expected to contribute to their future study and career building.

Report from a participating student

Miyu Takehisa
Group leader for Zhejiang University Spring School
First-year, Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University
(Report presented at a debriefing held on Friday 25 March 2016)

As part of Kyoto University's "Study Abroad Program", the 2016 Spring School was held at Zhejiang University, China, during spring recess. Through this program, we studied the Chinese language intensively, participated in cultural exchange, and developed friendship with Chinese and international students during our stay at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou for two weeks.

Twelve students, ranging from undergraduates in their first year to doctoral candidates, took part in this year's program, which provided each of us with very productive learning experiences.

We studied Chinese everyday in classes comprised of international students with similar language proficiency. This enabled us to develop our skills systematically by taking several types of lessons focusing on specific aspects of the language, such as listening and colloquial expressions. We also deepened cross-cultural understanding through exchange with classmates from various countries and from various backgrounds.

In addition, we participated in a variety of exchange programs. We had a free discussion on Chinese and Japanese culture with students majoring in Japanese language and culture at Zhejiang University. We also visited the Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, delivering presentations on agricultural issues in Japan, and exchanged views. Through interaction with local students, we gained wider and deeper knowledge about Chinese culture, history, and society. At the same time, I found myself seeing Japan from a renewed perspective.

We also took time to travel a little further to neighboring regions, such as the cities of Suzhou and Shanghai, where we toured downtowns and historical sites to feel the history and culture at first hand. In the course of those trips, we found there are a lot of differences between China and Japan, both readily apparent ones, such as differences in architecture or cuisine, and invisible ones, such as differences in ways of communication. Such first-hand experiences, which often surprised us, and sometimes posed some difficulties, helped us deepen our knowledge and understanding.

In conclusion, thanks to this program, we gained valuable opportunities to deepen our knowledge about Chinese culture and language through innumerable experiences and exchanges during the stay.

The Short-Term Study Abroad Program under the Agreement on Inter-University Student Exchange (also known as the East Asia Short-Term Study Abroad Program)

Each academic year, Kyoto University sponsors seven groups as part of the Short-Term Study Abroad Program under the Agreement on Inter-University Student Exchange, in order to provide students from Kyoto with opportunities to take part in exchanges with students in other countries, become more globally-minded, and to improve foreign language proficiency. In principle tuition is free, and participating Kyoto University students have the same status as visiting exchange students. During FY2015, the program was supported by the ASEAN-focused "Re-Inventing Japan Project", the JASSO (Japan Student Service Organization) Scholarship Program in important policy frameworks, the project for core universities facilitating international students admission, and the Kyoto University Global Frontier Project for Young Researchers (the "John Mung Program").