Exchange Activity Between Level 4 Japanese Language Program Students and Local Children (Thursday, June 18)

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, seven international students enrolled in the Level 4 Japanese Language Program participated in an exchange activity with local children at an after-school care facility near Ibaraki University’s Mito Campus. This activity was conducted as part of the course curriculum and aimed to deepen connections with the local community while developing students’ practical Japanese language skills.

On the day of the event, 24 children attending the after-school program joined the activity. The students and children interacted while enjoying a variety of games together. This time, familiar and easy-to-understand games such as UNO, Kurohige Kiki Ippatsu (Pop-Up Pirate), Jenga, and Nan-ja Monja were used, and the participants engaged in activities in small groups.

Through these game-based interactions, the children were seen naturally initiating conversations with the international students and teaching each other the rules, creating opportunities for communication that transcended language differences. For the students, it was also a valuable hands-on opportunity to explain rules and communicate in Japanese, allowing them to gain practical learning experiences beyond the classroom.

As the activity progressed, the distance between the children and the students gradually diminished, and the venue filled with laughter and cheerful voices. The cooperative atmosphere, in which participants worked together while enjoying the games, left a strong impression and made the experience memorable for everyone involved.

This activity provided a valuable opportunity for local children and international students to interact directly and deepen mutual understanding. Ibaraki University will continue to promote such initiatives to foster community-based learning environments and advance multicultural understanding.