Launched in 2014 and held in July and September of that year, the Ashinaga Kyoto Internship Program invites to Kyoto around 50 students from some of the world's leading universities -- mainly those based in Europe and the United States, such as Oxford University and Yale University -- to attend lectures and participate in hands-on activities alongside their Japanese counterparts, in order to learn about the history, culture, people, and other aspects of the host country.
The September 2015 program was structured around Kyoto University's "Center of Community" (COC) human resources development initiative, which is subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Among the numerous lectures presented over the two-week period were: "Education in the Year 2035" by Associate Professor Kanae Nishioka, Graduate School of Education, "Kyoto People and the History of Kyoto University" by Professor Junichi Mori, Organization for the Promotion of International Relations (OPIR), and Associate Professor Shin Nishiyama, Kyoto University Archives, "Street Art: Advertising Signs in Kyoto" by Professor Seiko Ikeda, Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences (ILAS), and "Examining Japanese Aesthetics through Literary Classics" by Associate Professor Sikiko Yukawa, The International Center, Kyoto University.
These lectures and other activities offered were in line with the key objectives of Kyoto University's COC initiative — expanding the availability of learning opportunities that take advantage of Kyoto's rich historical heritage, and contributing to the development of global human resources with broad-based educational qualifications.
Taking part as assistants also benefited the 11 KU students who attended the same lectures as highly talented students from other countries, engaging in cross-cultural communication and practicing their international skills.
Through this and similar initiatives, the organizers hope to contribute to greater understanding between Japan and other countries by facilitating contacts among the next generation of global leaders
Lecture by Associate Professor Yukawa
Lecture by Associate Professor Nishiyama
Commemorative group photo
Calligraphy workshop
