Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Kansai International Center

74 people from 29 countries exchanged words at Kansai International Center. Japanese learners from ica and Japanese language trainees?from Kansai International Center, along with Japanese attendees, all split up into small groups and?gathered around tables. They? and?communicated?with gestures, Japanese?and English.

What were foreigners’ impressions of the event?

● It’s fun to hear opinions from various people. (Germany)
● I enjoyed being asked various questions from Japanese people. (Italy)
● The local food?recommendation?is?sword fish sushi. (Korea)

What were Japanese people’s impressions of the event?

● I’ve never had such a opportunity to talk with foreigners, so it was a nice experience.
● I felt that all the foreigners were forward thinking (including future research and work).

Participants’ Countries?of Origin

Europe + NIS
Italy, Germany, Moldova, Lithuania, Uzbekistan

Middle East
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Palestine

Africa
Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Benin, Liberia,? Mauritania

Asia
Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, China, Japan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Nepal

North America
USA

Latin America
Haiti, Honduras, Argentina

Studying Islamic Culture: Cooking Class
Sunday, October 15 at Sano Public Hall Kitchen

As part of the Islamic Culture Understanding Lecture, a cooking class was held by Syrian native and ica Japanese language student, Ms. Nagam. Twenty?people participated is this event.

Menu

◆Maroba◆?
fried eggplant slices, ground beef with rice, topped with cashew nuts
It looks like a cake!
◆Molukhia Soup◆?
made with dried molukhia.
◆Syrian style salad◆
with refreshing lemon and dry mint

Participants’ Words

● It was surprising to hear that it was a regular dish. I want to eat it again.
● I was impressed when the maroba was done. The scent and shape were so attractive.
● Syria’s culture, language, etc. were also introduced and I became more interested in Syria.
● I was surprised to learn that rice is even eaten in Arab countries. I am happy to be able to have the ingredients close at hand. Spices are absolutely necessary! Should I buy some spices now?

Sunday, September 10, Sano Community Center Multipurpose Room

The yearly event Let’s Play with Foreigners was held for elementary school aged children and their parents.? The event was a pleasure for the children as it is every year. And again, this year, the planning and management were handled by the mothers of World Fun, an intercultural exchange circle for child rearing.

Where is Bolivia?

A spark of interest in foreign countries

On September 10th, 9 foreigners from 6 countries and 14 children along with their parents attended the international exchange event called Let’s Play with Foreigners. The event planning was done by members of World Fun, a parent-child organization.

Foreigners explained the differences between Japan and their home countries. For example, expressing animal sounds and?the method for cutting a?cake, were demonstrated. It was discovered that Bolivians?have a unique way to cut a cake, that even parents were surprised to hear.

In the Question Corner children asked questions such as, “Do you have vending machines in Bulgaria?”. The children’s?eyes gazed in anticipation?of the response.

Foreigners wrote names and greetings in their native languages such as Korean and Tagalog, on a shrinkable plastic. Following,??participants heated up their creations and formed key rings. At the end everyone made a circle and moved to?a Bolivian dance. Everyone left with a grin from ear to ear.

My grade 1 son suddenly had a new-found interest in foreign countries. When we arrived home my?son asked questions like “Where’s Taiwan?” and “What do Chinese people eat?”. I was so happy to participate in the event. Next year please come to World Fun Event! Bring the whole family! (S.T.)

I was surprised by the way?Bolivians cut their cakes!

Sunday, September 30 at Suehiro Park

It was the 42nd Izumisano Obon Festival. This year was the second attempt to try and break the Guinness Book of World Record for the most Bon Odori dancers. This year about 2,400 people participated including eighteen ica Japanese language students from nine different countries. As festival goers packed stalls selling goods, dancers dressed in yukata danced to the traditional folk song of Izumisano, Sano Kudoki.

Japanese Class presentation
Sunday June 18, 2017

Let’s speak Japanese was held on June 18 in the ica Japanese Presentation Room. Around 50 people participated. There were 13 presenters representing 6 countries. Speeches included topics such as personal interests, presenter’s home countries, and Japan.

Program

● Today’s Korean Entertainment (Korea)
● Poetry Reading (China)
● My thoughts on coming to Japan (Korea)
● Morning Relay (China)
● About Japan (Vietnam)
● Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
● My Little Village (Vietnam)
● Why I Like Japan (Germany)
● How to Make Dakdoritang (Korea)
● Self Introduction (China)
● Picture-story show: Tears of the Camel (Mongolia)
● My Proud Library and the Benefits of Reading (UK)
● My Favorite Korean Idol (China)

Participants’ Impressions

● It was really fun. Many foreigners talked about various topics. This event was a good opportunity to talk in Japanese with people studying Japanese from various countries. (Germany)

● It was a nice experience. I was surprised that people from various countries spoke Japanese?quite well. I also think?I should study harder. (Korea)

● People from many countries expressed their enjoyment of Japan. I enjoyed hearing the variety of stories of about life in Japan. (Japan)

● It was fun, thank you. I love you teacher Matsumura! (Korea)

● The speech, “My thoughts on Coming to Japan”, was fun and I laughed a lot. (England)

● It was interesting. Various countries and adults and children are here. (China)

● I’m happy that I could particpate this year too. (Mongolia)

● In my brain: Nervousness, sleepiness, food, and everyone’s Japanese is so good !!!! ? Fantastic!! ? (China)

● International Japanese party! Thanks to ica and Izumisano, it was great! (China)

After the presentations everyone came together for a group photo.