Twenty-four UTAR students visited Japan’s Aichi Gakuin University (AGU) from 23 September to 3 October 2019 under the Study Mobility programme of Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) (Kampar Campus).

The study tour, which aimed to encourage students’ learning of Japanese language, as well as the culture and social skills of Japan, saw the students enjoying their lessons. They attended classes on the Japanese language, and the cultural class where they learnt Japanese Origami and Furoshiki – the traditional Japanese art of wrapping cloth. The highlights of the tour included a Zen meditation conducted by the Buddhists monks and a tea ceremony conducted by members of the Tea Ceremony Club of AGU.

The students’ experience with the local culture was further enhanced from the excursion to local tourist attractions, such as Nagoya Castle, Tokugawa Art Museum and Atsuta-Jingu (Shrine). The excursion was organised by AGU Center for International Programs officers, Yusuke Onoe, Tsutomu Kano and Toshiya Adachi, accompanied by the director of the centre, Prof Mariko Takagi-Kitayama and assistant director, Prof Gregory L. Rohe.

During the trip, study tour leader Maggie Lee Chooi Wan from DSSC Kampar as well as accompanying Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) lecturers Diong Fong Wei and Ong Sheau Wen also paid a courtesy visit to AGU President, Prof Etsujo Sato.

Both Diong and Ong were also invited by AGU to introduce UTAR and its programmes in conjunction with AGU’s Open Campus Day which saw a big crowd consisting of students, parents and school-leavers. Four UTAR students from the study tour were also selected to assist in the effort of promoting UTAR’s programmes in different languages, with the aim to attract the participation of international students to UTAR.

“Meeting the lecturers was a delight, and Prof Sato particularly liked the ideas of staff exchange, suggested by the lecturers. We are looking forward to developing that idea of scholarly exchange between our universities. I am also happy to see that the UTAR students are enjoying their study tour. I look forward to our next study tour to UTAR in February 2020,” said Prof Mariko Takagi-Kitayama.

The study tour also saw Diong and Ong appointed as Sister University Special Consultants. They will act as a liaison between both institutions and focus on the development and implementation of future programmes and projects.

“I have always wanted to visit Japan, and my dream was realised through this study tour. Therefore, I am very thankful to UTAR for organising this study tour. My first visit to Japan was truly rewarding. The activities organised were fun, the new friends I met were very helpful and the AGU lecturers were very patient. It is indeed a memory worth cherishing, an experience worth sharing, and a lesson worth learning,” said student Iddrisu Mohammed Awal.

“My trip to Aichi Gakuin University was by far one of the best experiences I had after visiting a few countries in two continents. Though it ended very soon, the memories created are remembered fondly whenever I look at the pictures. This includes the good times I had learning the Japanese culture and language, which I couldn’t have done if I had not participated in the study tour. I was also amazed by the Japanese’s friendliness, politeness and hospitality. I must admit I was sceptical at first, but the study tour has proven otherwise. So thank you UTAR for this wonderful experience,” enthused Yuki Sim Tze Yii, a student from Sungai Long Campus.