Cultural Exchange Activity by Level 4 Japanese Language Students (Thursday, July 3)

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, fifteen international students enrolled in the Level 4 Japanese Language Training Course visited an after-school childcare center near Ibaraki University’s Mito Campus to introduce traditional children’s games from their home countries. Twelve children participated in the event, enjoying a lively and multicultural experience through play.

This activity was part of a classroom project, with students divided into five groups representing Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan & Korea, and the United States & United Kingdom. Each group prepared games unique to their respective cultures:

Thailand: Cup stacking using rubber bands
United States & United Kingdom: Pictionary
Indonesia: UNO card fly-swatting game
Taiwan & Korea: Gesture-based guessing game
Vietnam: Catching game

As this was the second visit, the children warmly welcomed the students, calling out their names and saying, “You came back!” The students also expressed their enthusiasm, saying they would love to continue this kind of activity. This interaction between different generations and cultures highlighted the potential of intergenerational and intercultural collaborative learning.

Through such initiatives, we are fostering meaningful connections that transcend age and nationality, opening up new possibilities for shared learning and mutual understanding.