Frontiers of International Exchange

Through the Japanese education in Doshisha University

Miyuki Hira (Professor, Center for Japanese Language and Culture)

   I became a full-time instructor at the Doshisha University, Center for Japanese Language (Bekka) that was established in April 1999. To be honest, we jump started without creating goals and organize how things were going to be carried out. Teaching Japanese at Bekka was the beginning of my international exchange. We tried to improve the Japanese class as much as possible with the cooperation of other teachers by piling every conceivable device. Then little by little, we realized our goal was to make the Doshisha University International Bekka the worldfs best Japanese education institution. We thoroughly researched on teaching methods and materials and aimed to acquire refined Japanese.
   Along with the society inspection that is held once a year, we visit Shiyo Gakuen, institution for the intellectually disabled. I was able to experience valuable time of true peace by having young and old people of both sexes, people with the intellectually disabled, and people from various countries surround the table and enjoy dinner. Listen to your heart, learn the importance to keep things that you cannot see in your heart, and conduct education that you can only do at Doshisha. Letfs send out talented people from the university who can create a bright 21st century that everyone can enjoy. I believe this is my personal mission in Doshisha and this made me strive for bigger dreams.
   If I were to wrap up these last ten years, I would say that it was fun but I canft lie that education for international students are twice more work. Itfs challenging for international students to figure out their goals because they feel lost in the inter-culture, have to face the worries about living, problems with studies and their future. There are even students who donft know the reason why they came to Japan. To help figure things out, we must talk to them on one on one and listen to their thoughts. Ifm happy that I was able to exchange and discuss about their dreams despite the different country and generation. It takes time and work but the more we give the more things become affluent. I am very grateful for all the things I received from the international students.
   By changing the form of the original culture experience classes that make use of the profit of earth, along with improving the classes of Japanese language and culture, students from all over the world have joined Bekka. The center for Japanese Language and Culture carry organizations of the Doshisha Japanese Education Center which became bigger. I hope to face the students who are here today sincerely and use my important gift for the international students who look up to us. I canft help but to imagine the grown figure of the students that will play an active part in the future.
   (Reprinted from gthe Cross Culture News No. 8h (on May 18, 2009)

Hira, far left
inserted by FC2 system