The Study Programme of Japanese Language Education, Universitas Brawijaya was hosting a series of Koryuukai events open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, 18 & 19 November 2023. This event was a cultural exchange activity between Indonesia and Japan. In addition to participation from students of the Study Programme of Japanese Language Education and Japanese Language Literature, the majority of attendees are high school and vocational students who plan to pursue higher education. The event was also enlivened by the presence of special guests, namely gakusei (students) from Kumamoto University who will act as native speakers during the Koryuukai event.
By attending the Koryuukai held at the FCS building, Universitas Brawijaya, the attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with Japanese gakusei from Kumamoto University. Not only did they engage in conversations, but on the second day (Sunday), they also enjoyed exciting games played together with friends from Kumamoto.
The events of the first day took place on Saturday at the FCS A Building, 7th floor at the Hall (movie room). The program began with an introduction to the profile of the Study Programme of Japanese Language Education for the attendees. Following that, it was the turn of the gakusei from Kumamoto University to take the stage.
Friends from Kumamoto University shared a lot about Japan, not just its culture but also what makes Japan itself attractive. For example, they talked about Japanese specialty foods, tourist or historical places that can be visited, and things that are famous in Japan. After presenting about the culture and others, the event continued with a short quiz. Various prizes were prepared to be given to the attendees. The prizes brought by friends from Kumamoto University varied, such as typical Japanese snacks, small souvenirs, stickers and others.
After the short quiz and prize distribution, the event continued with friends from Kumamoto University resuming the presentation by talking about schools and education in Japan. They were also amazed by the many similarities between schools in Indonesia and Japan, and likewise, the attendees were also amazed by how “sugoi” (incredible) schools in Japan are. After that, it was followed by a question-and-answer session which also marked the end of the first day’s activities.
The Enthusiasm during Group Discussion on the Second Day of Koryuukai
The second day of Koryuukai with the gakusei from Kumamoto was held in the FCS (Faculty of Cultural Studies) B Building. This day’s activity was a group discussion that brought participants closer to the Japanese students through more intimate interactions. With two engaging themes, shumi (hobbies) and yume (dreams), the day was promised to be an adventure thanks to the uniqueness of every discussion.
The topics of hobbies (shumi) and dreams (yume) are chosen to provide space for broad expression and conversation. In reality, hobbies and dreams serve as windows to see someone’s personality and aspirations. They are not only topics but also foundations for meaningful and insightful discussions.
Dividing participants into small groups opened opportunities for interactions not only among the participants but also with the Japanese gakusei who acted as facilitators. This experience served as a gateway to a rich cultural exchange. Each group delved into the theme of shumi by discussing their individual interests. This was not just a chance to talk about personal interests but also a moment enriched with stories and experiences shared, including insights from the Japanese gakusei.
The discussion then shifted to the theme of yume, where each participant had the opportunity to open up about their inner selves and share their dreams and aspirations. The Japanese gakusei also got involved, creating a strong bond through shared understanding and inspiration. The climax of the group discussion was when each group collectively reflected and elaborated on the conclusions from their conversations. This was not just an individual reflection but also a profound exchange of thoughts, aiding in the deepening of understanding regarding hobbies and dreams.
The second day with the gakusei from Kumamoto was not just about competition and language skills but also about an impressive cultural exchange. The activities of that day created a constructive experience, providing new insights into hobbies and dreams, and opening the door to forming close relationships with the Japanese students. Through this Koryuukai, we realized that we were doing more than just talking; we were creating a solid cultural bridge. Hopefully, this experience will serve as a foundation for long-term friendships and a deeper understanding among us all.
(shadam rifqi)