We’re back from Bonding Camp! (GLFP 9th Cohort)
Oct. 07, 2022
A GLFP 9th Cohort Bonding Camp took place for two days on September 17th, Saturday and 18th, Sunday, with a total of 21 members participated, including US students who had just arrived in Japan to study, Waseda students who had returned from studying in the US, faculty and staff. The GLFP program was finally realized with incoming US students for the first time in about three years even though we had not been able to accept international students from overseas due to the spread of COVID-19. This event marked the first occasion in which the members met and interacted with each other, for the purpose of team building to learn together for the next year.
On the first day, the Center for International Education (CIE) held an orientation on Waseda campus, where a campus tour for US students was given by Waseda students, followed by a kick-off lecture of Dr. Juichiro Tanabe, in charge of GLFP Forum.
On the second day, we left Okuma Auditorium, heading for Asakusa and Ryougoku areas by sightseeing bus. First, we took a stroll around Sensoji temple, where the atmosphere of Tokyo’s traditional downtown (Shitamachi-district) still well preserved.
It seems like the US students became more interested in how to offer prayers and omikuji, a Japanese fortune-telling slip, because of the explanations about Japanese history and culture such as Sensoji temple and Japanese religion prepared by Waseda students in advance. In the afternoon, we all enjoyed trying a new experience by creating original Japanese food samples, and successfully created a food sample that looked like the real tempura we had for lunch. After that, as a final closing activity, we watched sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena.
Pre-researched information on sumo by Waseda students, including its origin, further attracted the interest of US students.
Shortly after coming to Japan, US students looked a bit nervous, however, the students were able to feel comfortable with each other sooner than expected. This is just thanks to the active involvement of the Waseda students, coupled with the fact US students themselves showed interest in Japanese tradition and culture, trying something new without hesitation.
Despite the unfavorable weather conditions due to an approaching typhoon, GLFP 9th Cohort got off to a good start together for the one-year program by participating in two-day outing to deepen mutual understanding.