🌏Student-Initiated! Sharing Japanese Culture in Vietnam — Cultural Exchange Event at MARIE CURIE High School (Online Participation)

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, a Japanese culture exchange event was held at MARIE CURIE High School in Hai Phong, Vietnam. This event was part of the course International Collaborative Learning (Vietnam) offered by the Global Engagement Center at Ibaraki University, and was organized through a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project. It served as a counterpart to the Vietnamese Culture Exchange Event held on September 13 at Ibaraki University’s Mito Campus.

The Vietnamese side of the project was led by students from Hai Phong University, who took charge of planning and preparing the program. The event was designed to introduce Japanese culture to local high school students. Three students from Ibaraki University participated online, giving explanations in Japanese while Hai Phong University students interpreted into Vietnamese, facilitating smooth and interactive communication.

The Japanese cultural elements introduced included:

🎴 Menko (Japanese card flipping game): The student in charge shared personal childhood experiences with Menko and explained tips on how to play effectively. Through storytelling and demonstration, participants not only enjoyed the game but also learned about its cultural background.
🥋 Kami-sumo (Paper sumo wrestling): The student showed handmade paper sumo wrestlers and a ring on camera, explaining how to create and play the game. The handmade aspect sparked curiosity and engagement among the Vietnamese students.
🍵 Introduction to Tea Ceremony: The student explained the meaning behind the movements, the tools used, and the spirit of hospitality embedded in the tea ceremony. The calm and deliberate gestures conveyed the essence of Japanese tradition, even through a screen.

Despite the limitations of online participation, Ibaraki University students gained valuable experience in communicating their own culture and collaborating across borders. Thanks to the support and interpretation provided by Hai Phong University students, the event ran smoothly and fostered warm exchanges between participants.

This kind of international collaboration offers students meaningful opportunities to develop skills in communication, teamwork, and intercultural understanding. Ibaraki University will continue to promote hybrid international learning experiences that connect students with communities both locally and globally.

📎 Related link:

Report on the Japan-side event: https://cge.lae.ibaraki.ac.jp/news/2025/0916.html