As part of the 'Agreement on Inter-University Student Exchange's Short-Term Student Exchange Program'* (also known as the East Asia Short-Term Student Exchange Program), there was a summer school at the National University of Taiwan in which 5 students participated. Students were able to learn Chinese and join a Taiwan experience course (English lectures) at the world-famous International Chinese Language Program of National Taiwan University (ICLP), and learning about Taiwanese culture, history, society, geography and environment all while learning Chinese in an excellent educational environment.
In addition, after classes and on the weekends, through fieldwork and other events, they were able to actively communicate with and meet students not only from Taiwan but all over the world. Under the support of the National Taiwan University, on the last day there was an event called Japan Night at which Kyoto University students took center stage and over 50 people enthusiastically participated. First there was an introduction to sumo, karate and origami, then everyone enjoyed a performance with yukata (summer kimono), folk songs, soran (songs and dance from Hokkaido) and a game involving all participants to get to know Japan. Such events helped strengthen bonding between students, and gave the students of Kyoto University an opportunity to work on their leadership skills and skills of expression.
Participants from Kyoto University hope to build on these experiences and understanding of culture in the future and deepen relationships of trust with the students of National Taiwan University and other universities.
Report from a Participating Student
Taiwan National University Summer School Group Leader
Satoshi Ijichi, 3rd year student of the Faculty of Science
During this long-term, 4 week program, we were able to have invaluable experiences we couldn't gain elsewhere and learned about a wide range of different things.
We students of Kyoto University belonged to a language and culture studies course. The Chinese classes were divided up into different levels with only 5 students per class, creating an excellent class environment in which the teacher could easily look to the needs of each student. In the cultural studies classes there were also students from outside the language course, meaning that the class was held in a grand lecture hall. In each class there was a great mix of people irrespective of their nationality, leading to an excellent opportunity for international cultural exchange between students.
A point that I would like to especially note about the learning environment is the help of students of National Taiwan University as TA (Teaching Assistants). They were on hand to help us international students at any time. They gave us detailed advice on anything from class content to everyday life, providing us with an excellent advisor and friend. We could easily see that they were doing all they could to make the experiences of international students as easy and fulfilling as possible. No doubt that without their efforts the time spent in Taiwan by the international students would not have been as fulfilling.
Through this program, we were provided with an opportunity to communicate and create deep friendships not only with Taiwanese students, but also with participants from other countries. In addition to the program's emphasis on cultural exchange both in and outside class, we were able to experience 'genuine' cultural exchange through spending basically all of our time with TAs and other international students in student dorms and other places. We were also able to organize a 'Japan Night' for the Taiwanese and other international students in which they could learn more deeply about Japan. It was a real hit. The success of that event was thanks to the cooperation between many Taiwanese students, Japanese international students and students from many different countries. I believe it was a really successful cultural exchange. I hope that participants next year can continue this, and help to further solidify the base of Japan-Taiwan relations, as well as those with other countries.
 Taiwan Experience Course (in English) |  Calligraphy on 'Japan Night' |
 Studying Chinese |  Group photo on the 2 day trip |
*About the 'Short-Term Student Exchange Program for Inter-University Student Exchange' (also known as the East Asia Short-Term Student Exchange Program)
At Kyoto University, we have been running the 'Short-Term Student Exchange Program for Inter-University Student Exchange' for 7 years in order to increase inter-university exchange, cultivate an international spirit and increase working language skills of students. In this program, based on agreements between Kyoto University and the destination university, school fees are waivered, and university students are treated as of the same status as exchange students. In 2013 we ran the program on the support of the 'Development of Globally Cooperative Human Resources Centered on the University Project for Strengthening World Development ? Supporting the Formation of Inter-University Exchange with ASEAN Countries: Open ASEAN+6 and Re-Discovering Japan-SEND ', the JASSO Scholarship (Important Policy section) and the 'John Man Program for Sending Young Kyoto University Researchers Abroad.'
