The Inter-University Exchange Project Summer Program was held for six weeks from July 2 to August 9, 2024. 12 students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), University of Washington (UW), University of the Philippines Los Ba?os (UPLB), and Western University (WU) participated in this program.
During the two-week period from July 2 to July 12, the “Summer School of Basic Japanese Studies” was held in cooperation with the International Student Education Section of the Global Education Center. In addition to Japanese language classes in the morning and discussions with Kobe University students in the afternoon, students learned about Kobe's history and culture through lectures and fieldwork in the “Regional Studies”.
From July 16 to August 8, internships at Kobe City Government, Kobe University Food Resources Education and Research Center (Graduate School of Agricultural Science), Graduate School of Maritime Science, and several Japanese companies were conducted as part of the “Industry - Government - Academia Collaboration Internship Program”. This program was very fulfilling, including an introduction to food-related initiatives such as children's cafeterias and food loss prevention, exchange of opinions with foreign employees, research on overseas food tech startups, creation of marketing plans for overseas markets, and farm-to-table (harvesting, packing, and selling) experience. On the final day of the internship at each company, the students gave presentations, and their hosts were amazed at the ideas that the students generated from a variety of perspectives. On the other hand, the participating students responded in the questionnaire as follows regarding what they learned from the internship.
?Some key skills I took away from the last month and half was resiliency, independence, creativity, and a stronger work ethic. This program will have an everlasting impact on my future endeavours and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.
?I learned cross-cultural communication, Agricultural issues and related solutions or similar problems, as well as non-verbal communication, homogeneous societal norms, and how to approach individuals who are across a barrier from me and clearly and effectively communicate with them.
?During my internship in Japan, I gained several valuable insights. One of the main things I learned was about the Japanese language. Conversations in Japan are highly contextual, which often requires an understanding of the surrounding context to fully grasp the speaker's meaning. This style involves omitting certain details, expecting the listener to read between the lines—a practice that extends into workplace interactions.
?Cultural immersion was another profound aspect of my experience. Japanese culture is deeply ingrained in every individual, and it's evident why and how this culture maintains its strong influence in the modern world. Traditions and values are passed down through generations, which create a blend of culture and industry. The Japanese people's appreciation for their environment is also a key cultural trait, reflected in their commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Concepts like "mottainai" are prevalent, and there is a strong awareness of and respect for the well-being of others.
?My main takeaways from the internship are my deeper understanding and appreciation for Japanese work ethics and culture, agricultural and farming processes that are efficient and gearing towards sustainability. I learned more about the different aspects of food industry and the issues about food waste. I was able to improve and practice my skills in food production. I improved my interpersonal skills and public speaking during our presentations. I learned the importance of collective efforts in solving major issues like sustainability and food-related issues. I also learned how important cross-cultural collaboration is.
On August 9, an Internship Debriefing Session was held at Kobe University, where participating students gave presentations in English and Japanese. Many people gathered at the venue, including internship hosts and Kobe University students. By connecting with the Metaverse campus, we were able to interact with our overseas partner universities and internship host companies. We hope that the participating students will continue their studies in this program at their home universities and return to Kobe in the future.
