Deepening Learning Through Food: Final Reflection Session of the COIL Project (Satudrday, June 6)

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, students from Ibaraki University and the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil, gathered online to participate in the final reflection session of the COIL project for the “International Collaborative Learning (Brazil)” course.

Over the course of approximately one month, students from Japan and Brazil worked collaboratively in groups, engaging in activities centered on food culture exchange. By cooking together online and sharing conversations about their cultures and daily lives, they accumulated meaningful learning experiences that transcended both linguistic and cultural barriers. In this final session, students reflected on their experiences and shared the insights and discoveries they had gained throughout the project.

Many students commented that the project provided “a valuable opportunity for international exchange that is rarely available in regular classes” and that “working with students from different cultural backgrounds led to new perspectives.” In particular, the experience of interacting through the familiar setting of the kitchen left a strong impression. As one student noted, “Sharing part of our daily lives beyond the classroom led to a deeper level of understanding.”

By focusing on food culture, students also reported that they were able to “naturally understand their partner’s values and customs through cooking” and that they “realized how culture and history are reflected in how food is prepared and eaten.” Not only did they learn about the differences between Japanese and Brazilian food cultures, but they also discovered commonalities, making their understanding of other cultures more tangible and relatable.

Furthermore, through experiencing both the roles of “teacher” and “learner,” students deepened their reflection on communication itself. Many shared that they “realized how difficult it is to explain things clearly to others” and that “it is important to try to communicate even if it is not perfect.” These experiences contributed not only to improving their English communication skills, but also to developing greater awareness, empathy, and flexibility in communication.

Through this COIL project, students did not simply acquire knowledge about other cultures; rather, they deepened their understanding by actively experiencing and sharing with others. Positive feedback such as “I gained confidence in speaking English,” “I felt connected across borders,” and “I would like to participate again” highlights the significant impact this project had on students’ learning and motivation.

Using food as a gateway, this initiative provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with each other’s cultures and reflect on their own backgrounds. Moving forward, we will continue to expand the possibilities of cross-border learning through initiatives like this international collaborative program.