About program

The Japan Foundation's Japanese-Language Program for University Students (Spring Course) has three main goals. These goals are as follows:

1. To able to use the Japanese learnt so far.
2. To experience and to understand the Japanese language, culture and society.
3. To discover new learning techniques.

Approximately 37 university students from, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Azerbaijan, and Russia participated in this program. The students studied Japanese at the Japanese Language Institute, Kansai from May 14 to June 25, 2008. Aside from that, the participants were given the opportunity to experience various Japanese cultural activities such as, home-stay, and to mingle with Japanese people living in the vicinity. To better understand the Japanese culture and custom, the participants visited the famous traditional and modern places in Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. Furthermore, to effectively express themselves using Japanese, the participants interviewed students of Ritsumeikan University and members of ICA (Isumizano Chikyuu Association) about their chosen topic of interest. The results were then presented.

At the end of the day, we not only got the chance to learn and experience more about Japan`s culture and language, but also made lots of friends.

Cultural Activities

Apart from the regular classes, the participants of KASA program enjoyed cultural activities. Such as, Japanese calligraphy (shodo), Japanese drums (wadaiko), Japanese martial art (aikido), Japanese flower arrangement (ikebana), and Japanese summer kimono (yukata).

In first cultural activity class participants learned Japanese calligraphy. They enjoyed drawing their favorite kanjis

In the Japanese flower arrangement class, participants learned the basics of ikebana and also understood the sense of beauty of the Japanese people.

Participants wore the traditional Japanese clothe called Yukata. They learned about the history and different types of kimono. In the tea ceremony class, the participants learned methods of making the Japanese tea in the traditional way. They themselves prepared tea.

In the wadaiko class, the teacher explained the method of playing the Japanese drums. The participants were given the chance to play the drums.

In the Aikido class, the participants were taught useful techniques of self-defense. They learned interesting things about proper greeting and dress code.

Free time activities

Every day is a very busy day for the participants of KASA program. Despite of that, they still had time to enjoy and have fun. During their free time, the participants engaged in different activities.

1. To stay fit and healthy, they played volleyball, badminton, and table tennis. Some participants exercised in the gym.
2. Went shopping with friends.
3. Enjoyed singing and dancing in the karaoke room.
4. On weekends, participants went for sightseeing in Osaka
5. Went for a stroll at the beach.

Field Trips

During their six-week stay, the participants visited three famous cities: Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. The participants visited famous temples and other places of interest, such as Asakusa and Miyajima temple, Panasonic Center and Genbaku Dome. They also interacted with students of Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto. It was a very wonderful experience.

Opinion About KASA Program

Although this trip was very short, we visited many places, ate different Japanese food, it was fun. I will never forget this study trip. (Homwei,Singapore)

Teachers were kind. We heard the opinion from participants of different countries. Although there was no unanimity regarding the opinion, but it was nice. (Namukon, Thailand)

It was very good experience. We made new friends. (Aliul Azim, India)

With this program, not only were we able to experience Japan in its fullest sense, we were also able to make new Japanese friends as well as friends from other countries, made priceless, countless memories, and we also realized how we love our country. We sincerely thank the Japan Foundation for giving us the opportunity to join the program. (Minoru, Philippines)