OSU Spring 2010 Japanese Study Abroad Program in Kobe
The OSU Spring 2010 Japanese Study Abroad Program in Kobe was held from 25 March to 4 June, 2010, at Kobe Shoin Women's University. Eleven undergraduate and one graduate student participated in the program. Both instructors and students as well as Shoin student assistants resided at Shoin Daigaku Kaikan (Japan Study Center), which is located about a half hour away from the Shoin main campus. Intermediate and advanced language courses, a culture course, and a project course were offered at this location. All language courses were the same as OSU courses in Columbus. The culture course included field trips and service learning (assisting Shoin’s English classes) and the project course was designed in such a way that individuals must use Japanese (e.g., interviewing Japanese students in Japanese) to pursue their own research topics. These classes utilized both individualized and group session formats and gave each student maximum attention from the instructor.
The program’s various field trips included those to historical sites in Himeji, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and Osaka, Hamafukutsuru sake brewery, Glico Kobe factory, and a one weekend homestay in the Kansai area. Everyone appreciated the beauty of Himeji Castle above cherry blossoms before it was covered (the castle will be under renovation for five years!). They also visited Ryogen Elementary School in Takarazuka, Kikawa Minami Elementary School in Osaka, and Kobe Shoin Junior and Senior High Schools and interacted with their students. Through these visits along with their service learning experience at the university, they learned about the Japanese primary, secondary and higher education systems first hand. In Shoin Junior and Senior High Schools, they also experienced the tea ceremony.
The students accelerated their language skills and increased their cultural knowledge in ten weeks. Of course, everyone had fun, too. Some went to "onsen" and ate piles of delicious food (yummy!), visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Tokyo, and Yokohama, other scenic locations. They also attended theatrical performances. But most of all they all had a great time with Shoin students. They had the time of their lives! 
This program was made possible by funding from Kobe Shoin Women's University, and Nissen Chemitec Corporation. In particular, all undergraduate students received IJP USA, Inc. scholarships provided by Nissen Chemitec Corporation. Their support is gratefully acknowledged. (Reported by Mineharu Nakayama, Resident Director)