NEWS

On Thursday, August 6, 2026, the "Center for Global Education and Collaboration Final Presentation" was held at the General Education Lecture Hall on the Matsumoto Campus.

A total of 66 international students from 15 countries--the Netherlands, Taiwan, South Korea, Italy, the United States, China, France, Malaysia, Thailand, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Poland, and Uzbekistan--gave presentations (exchange students and Nikken students).

During the presentations, students who had studied at Shinshu University for six months or one year reflected on their experiences during their time in Japan. They shared what they had learned and discovered through their daily lives in Japan, as well as how they had grown through their experiences.

Some students said that they had initially felt anxious about staying in Japan for an extended period, especially as it was their first time visiting the country. However, through interactions with Japanese students and other international students, they gradually overcame their concerns and were able to enjoy a fulfilling time in Japan. Others talked about how interacting with students from different countries and cultural backgrounds exposed them to diverse perspectives and encouraged them to reconsider some of the preconceptions they had held before coming to Japan.

The students also shared a wide range of experiences from their time in Japan, including trips to destinations both within and outside Nagano Prefecture, such as Kamikochi and Narai-juku, participation in sports clubs and student organizations, and learning through classes and career support programs at Shinshu University. Some students reflected on challenges they had faced when communicating in Japanese and mistakes they had made, explaining that with the support of people around them, they were able to overcome these difficulties, which ultimately led to new learning experiences and greater confidence. At the end of the presentations, many students expressed their gratitude to the tutors, friends, teachers, and other people they had met in Japan who had supported them during their stay.

Through not only their studies but also their daily lives and interactions with people from different backgrounds, the international students gained valuable experiences that encouraged them to think about international exchange and diversity. The presentations showed how much each student had grown through the many experiences they had had in Japan--experiences that they had never imagined before coming to the country.

The next "Center for Global Education and Collaboration Final Presentation" is scheduled to be held in February 2027.