International students from Iran, Vietnam and Indonesia stayed five families each to deepen mutual understanding and exchange with each other.
Five international students from Ibaraki University and Ibaraki Christian University visited Kitaibaraki City and participated in the New Year's customary two-night, three-day homestay project. This year, there was a special participation of 19 people dispatched from Indonesia as technical trainees to companies in Kitaibaraki city. We performed rice cake making and Fukuwarai, which are traditional Japanese events on New Year's Day, and then surprised to let them wear Kimino, and it became a lively event as usual. This is the 25th time this event has been held, and it has become firmly established as an event that allows us to get to know each other's countries more and to connect friendships. During their homestay, they visited Hanazono Shrine, Otsu Port, and sightseeing spots in Akane Equality City and enjoyed the wonderful nature. At the place of stay, they cooked their own country food and was completely immersed in Japanese culture. International students enjoyed the homestay for 2 nights and 3 days and returned to school.
"I want to invite more friends to participate next year," "I have never had such an experience," and "What a wonderful country Japan is," said the international student. The corporate trainees who participated in the special event also expressed their hope that if there was such a plan, they would definitely like to stay in a Japanese home next time. This time as well, they deepened their ties with their host family and citizens, and left Kitaibaraki with a lot of fun memories looking forward to the reunion.
