School Excursion at Guanzhong Museum of Ethnology
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 Xian Jiaotong University (Xian University of Transport). 13 students participated, and came from many fields in both science and humanities, from first year undergraduates to master program students.
From the very beginning of the curriculum, this program was supported by the whole of Xian Jiaotong University, including graduates from Kyoto University, and reached the 3rd year this year. The program was richly varied, including a Chinese course, special courses by professors of the university, classes to experience calligraphy and tai-chi, and a visit to the World Heritage Terracotta Army site. Provided with an excellent curriculum, participants were able to experience the culture and history of China's ancient capital, Xian, and deepen their understanding of China. They were also able to spend a great deal of time together with students from Xian Jiaotong University.
Participating students hope to bring about further internationalization by bringing into their own lives the experiences they gained from drawing on their five senses and enjoying every-day inter-personal exchange.
Report from a Participating Student
Xian Jiaotong University Summer School Group Leader
Haruhito Yokoi, 4th year student of the Faculty of Letters
Myself and 12 others participated in the 10 day short-term exchange program at Xian Jiaotong University, China. The program was extremely diverse, rich and fulfilling, including a Chinese course, cultural studies, and visit to historical architectural site (excursion).
Firstly for the classes at Xian Jiaotong University, the Chinese classes aimed to improve speaking and listening, allowing all students to be conscious of conversation in Chinese. Also, all the group leaders actively tried to use the Chinese they had learned in communicating with Chinese people around them. We were also blessed with the opportunity to learn about many aspects of China's culture, including classes in Chinese culture and history, poetry and tai-chi.
Xian is well known as the city of numerous dynasties. It is home to a host of historical sites, such as the world-famous Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang (first emperor), and the Huaquing Pool, which is known for its connection with Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. The city of Xian, which was constructed in the Ming Dynasty, is surrounded by a castle wall, has a tourist area called the Muslim Quarter that is populated by Islamic people. I couldn't help being surprised by how international the place was.
After returning home, I continue to frequently communicate with the students studying Japanese there who travelled around with us. They were very friendly and welcoming to us, even though we didn't know anything about the place. They joined us in visiting places, took us to Chinese restaurants, and really looked after us well. The friendships that we were able to form with them there was the most precious experience of all.
 Commemorative photo of everyone at Xian Jiaotong University |
*About the 'Agreement on Inter-University Student Exchange's Short-Term Student Exchange Program' (also known as the East Asia Short-Term Student Exchange Program)
At Kyoto University, we have been running the 'Agreement on Inter-University Student Exchange's Short-Term Student Exchange Program' 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.'
