At NILS, we actively engage in community exchanges to deepen our connections with local society. As part of this initiative, we participate in local middle school classes every two weeks, providing our students with valuable opportunities to experience Japanese culture.
Specifically, they are learning traditional Japanese arts such as shamisen, Japanese dance, and tea ceremony. When our international students first joined these activities, they had no prior experience and struggled to acquire the necessary skills. However, with guidance from the middle school teachers and their dedication, they gradually deepened their understanding and improved their abilities. The shamisen, in particular, posed a new challenge, but through each lesson with the instructor, they slowly began to produce sound and become familiar with the rhythm of the pieces. In Japanese dance, they have developed graceful movements by learning poise and expressiveness. Through the tea ceremony, they have been moved by its depth while also finding moments of tranquility as they learn the etiquette and art of preparing tea. Recently, their skills have visibly improved, and they now perform with the confidence of professionals. Their desire to continue learning about this wonderful culture has grown stronger.
This experience has not only allowed them to appreciate the allure of Japanese culture but has also strengthened their bonds with local people. Additionally, our students recently had a valuable opportunity to present about their own countries at the local middle school. Standing in front of about 30 middle school students was a first for them, and they seemed a bit nervous. However, having prepared thoroughly, they spoke confidently about their culture, traditions, food, and daily life, using slides and materials to enhance their presentations. When they discussed unique festivals and family traditions from their countries, they could see the middle school student‘s eyes light up with interest.
By sharing entertaining anecdotes and photos, they managed to capture the students’ attention even more. As they saw the middle school students quietly listening, the presenters gradually relaxed and spoke more comfortably. The middle school students responded positively, often laughing and asking questions, which made the interaction very engaging. After the presentations, they received comments like “I want to hear more!” and expressions of gratitude from the middle schoolers, leaving our students feeling fulfilled. Sharing their own culture and interacting with the younger generation in Japan has proven to be a meaningful experience for our international students. Moving forward, NILS aims to increase opportunities for our students to engage with various generations of Japanese people.
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