IARU GSP 2008 @ The University of Tokyo

 

 

 

18 students from all over the world visited Japan and attended the classes at the University of Tokyo.

Courses:

・Introduction to the Japanese Language (15 June – 1 July)

・Sustainable Urban Management (15 June – 1 July)

・Nanoscience (29 June – 11 July)

On June 30th, they went to Soji temple with some members of UT-IRIS and experienced traditional Japanese culture like Zazen and vegetarian diet.

 

世界各国から18名の学生が来日し、東京大学において講義を受けた。6／30に設けられた学生交流の日には、UT-IRISのメンバーとともに曹洞宗の大本山である総持寺に行き、座禅や精進料理などといった日本の伝統文化を体験した。

 

 

 

 

 

Why did you decide to participate in IARU GSP 2008?

IARU GSP 2008に参加したきっかけは何ですか？

 

・I am interested in Science and UT was the only university that offered a science course (nanoscience). I regret for missing the Japanese course though.  It was a good choice for me. (ANU)

 

・Mostly because the uni was paying, but also I am very interested in nano tech. (ANU)

 

・I wanted the opportunity to meet people from other countries, to learn about the top quality research being done at UT, and to learn some Japanese. (ANU)

 

・The course about Sustainable Urban Management sounded very interesting and relevant to my studies in Denmark. I always wanted to experience Tokyo. I wanted to find out more about urban development in Tokyo as an inspiration to my MA dissertation. （Copenhagen）

 

・I have been longing to experience the learning culture in a Japanese university – and there are no other universities in Japan that could precisely offer just that, other than University of Tokyo. It was a great privilege for me to be able to interact with such intellectually engaging members of the university. （UC Berkeley）

 

・Chance to experience Tokyo, Japanese culture, meet students from all over the world, and opportunity to learn about sustainable urban management. （UC Berkeley）

 

・I thought it was a good way to experience a Japanese university for a short period of time, especially since I don’t speak Japanese so I won’t have a chance to go on a semester-long exchange. (NUS)

 

・I used to work for Urban Redevelopment Authority of singapore on tianjin eco-city project. I am really interested in find out Japan’s perspective about sustainability. (NUS)

 

・It would be a wonderful opportunity for me to interact with like-minded students from universities around the world, and learning about Urban Management issues while in Tokyo has the perfect setting. （NUS）

 

 

 

 

How will you integrate what you gained from IARU GSP 2008 to your future?

IARU GSP 2008を通して得たものを今後どのように生かしていきますか？

 

・I learned a lot from the course. It was particularly interesting to see what some of the Japanese Researchers are doing. Actually, from the course, I have an idea of what I want to do for my research honours year. Also, I would like to help out and participate in other related programs such as short research vacation work this November (Australian Summer time). (ANU)

 

・It will give me guidance for future subject choice and research ideas. (ANU)

 

・The course is playing a vital role in the preparation of an ethnographic fieldwork that I will be conducting in the spring of 2009 as part of my MA dissertation. （Copenhagen）

・Diversity of students and experiences, life-long friendships, and an open mind to tackle urban issues. （UC Berkeley）

 

・As a History student I think the knowledge I’ve gained about Tokyo’s urban issues will definitely help me understand the socio-economic conditions better. Moreover, meeting and interacting with so many other students from around the world has really given me greater insights into how other nations’ function and broadened my cultural understanding. (NUS)

 

・The program opened my eyes to new ways of looking at urban issues, and in my future in the architectural I will be keenly aware of the way the urban environment is influenced by the buildings I design. （NUS）

 

 

 

 

How do you feel about the Student Exchange Program (Let’s Experience Japanese “Zen” Culture!)?

学生交流企画“座禅体験”はいかがでしたか？

 

・It was wonderful! The students went out of their way to organise a really interesting field trip. (ANU)

 

・It was interesting to see a completely different culture from the visit. Japan is a very developed country and the world’s leader in technology. Nonetheless, it still keeps a strong Oriental traditional culture, which is just amazing. (ANU)

 

・It was interesting and a little strange. (ANU)

 

・It was a great way to learn about Zen culture. I would definitely do it again. (ANU)

 

・The visit was a unique experience that I wouldn’t be able to get on my own. It was also a great way to experience a different part of Japanese culture than the urban life of Tokyo. （Copenhagen）

 

・A very unique and creative experience though the meditation session and lecture may have been a bit long, well-planned and thought-out. （UC Berkeley）

 

・It was a very unique experience, even for the local students, so it was bonding on a whole new level. （NUS）

 

 

 

 

What was your impression of Tokyo, Japan?

日本や東京に対する印象を教えて下さい。

 

・Exciting, friendly, safe, easy to get around – I loved it!! (ANU)

 

・Tokyo is a huge and crowded city but very safe and easy to get around. I love the subway as well. I never had to wait for long at the station. The food is among the best things in Tokyo, very tasty and cheap. (ANU)

 

・Tokyo is a very huge, interesting, safe and ‘user friendly’ City. (ANU)

 

・A bustling city that never sleeps, runs on trains and bicycles, and there’s always something interesting to do in. (ANU)

 

・I was completely overwhelmed by the kindness and helpfulness that I experienced everywhere I went – starting with the welcoming party at our arrival.　I don’t know how to describe the city in few words. Tokyo has it all! Besides, the Todai campus is really cosy. （Copenhagen）

 

・A nice place that I would definitely like to visit again, very modern, great culture that have preserved its history and roots, adopting international influences but a bit difficult to get around without knowing Japanese. （UC Berkeley）

 

・Exciting, Interesting, Colorful! The people here are also very helpful, giving me directions and even taking me to where I need to go when they don’t speak English and I don’t understand Japanese. (NUS)

 

・I love Tokyo. It is by far the cleanest, chicest city I’ve been to so far. The mixture and balance of traditional culture with modern development inspired me a lot. （NUS）