On September 10, 2024, nine students from Tohoku Gakuin University and their lecturer, Endo Sensei, visited Undiksha’s Japanese Language Education Program (PBJ) for a cultural exchange. The sharing session of the lecturer and students took place in the Faculty of Language and Arts (FBS) lecture room, where three groups presented various topics.
The first presentation focused on student life at Tohoku Gakuin University. They described their campus facilities, including classrooms where students are free to sit anywhere, a cafeteria, library, and places of worship. Their class schedules run from 8:45 a.m. to 7:55 p.m., five days a week. Outside of class, students often study for tests or prepare for presentations, though some engage in part-time work to earn extra money. They also enjoy activities like exploring local cuisine, hiking, and karaoke in their free time.
The second presentation covered festivals in the Tohoku region of Japan. They highlighted three major festivals: Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori Prefecture, Kanto Matsuri in Akita Prefecture, and Sendai Tanabata Matsuri in Miyagi Prefecture. These festivals, held during the summer in August, are dedicated to prayers for health, longevity, prosperity, and abundant harvests.
The final topic was about popular Japanese snacks. Similar to Indonesia, Japan has shops that sell various treats enjoyed by people of all ages. The students mentioned that near their campus, there is a snack shop that evokes feelings of nostalgia. Some of the popular snacks include donuts, fries, jerky, and chocolate with fortune slips. Additionally, they sell anime-themed masks, toys, and celebrity memorabilia.
To further encourage interaction, students from both universities were divided into small groups for a 30-minute discussion session. They also exchanged snacks they had prepared, explaining what each snack represented. Undiksha students brought traditional Indonesian snacks like nagasari, pastel, and croquettes, while Tohoku Gakuin students brought Japanese snacks such as senbei, nuts, and chocolate cookies. The students were enthusiastic throughout the activity, practicing cross-linguistic and cross-cultural communication.
This sharing session exemplifies the benefits of hosting Japanese lecturers and students, as it provides a platform for meaningful cultural exchange. PBJ Undiksha hopes to continue building strong relationships with other universities in Japan in the future.
