2015 Shanghai
In search of truly usable global skills, the first batch of students headed to Shanghai to experience the heat of rapid growth and different cultures
Period: Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 to Sunday, April 5th, 2015, and Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 to Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 *Divided into two groups
schedule
| 1日目 | Departing from Narita Airport to Shanghai |
|---|---|
| 2日目 | Visit to Meiji Seika Factory and the Consulate General of Japan in Shanghai City tour (The Bund and Xintiandi) |
| 3日目 | Visit to Shanghai (problem-setting fieldwork) Shanghai Lixin Accounting College Student Exchange Meeting Photo contest held |
| 4日目 | Visit to China Art Museum Return to Narita Airport |
Learning about Global Business through Company Visits ~ Meiji Seika Food Factory
Meiji is a manufacturer of chocolates and other confectionery that are popular in Japan and China. We visited Meiji Seika Food Factory, an overseas group company of Meiji. We spoke directly with Japanese people working there about the differences in business between Japan and China, such as promotion and sales. We also learned about the working style of local employees in Japanese companies and the importance of respecting the local culture and customs.
Local Student Exchange ~ Shanghai Lixin Accounting College
A photo contest was held with local students at Shanghai Lixin Accounting College, a partner school of our university. Participants submitted photos that fit the theme set during fieldwork, and shared the reasons for taking the photos and their impressions of their visit to Shanghai. The CEO of an advisory board company based in Shanghai also participated, and the winners were selected.
Learning about Japan-China relations: Visit to the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai
We spoke directly with the consul about a wide range of topics, including the roles of embassies and consulates, the current state of Japan-China relations and future prospects, and his own work philosophy. He advised us that it would be desirable for Japan-China relations to be discussed not in terms of politics, but in terms of people-to-people relations, and that cherishing the Japanese and Chinese friends we met in China is important for building a better relationship between the two countries.
Problem-setting fieldwork: visiting Shanghai
They communicated with students from Shanghai Lixin Accounting College using gestures, created schedules for each group, and carried out problem-setting fieldwork. They enjoyed exploring Shanghai with the local students, strolling around the city and riding the subway. The students seemed to be impressed by the enthusiasm of the local students, who are the same generation as them, Shanghai bustling with tourists, and the power of China.
Clarifying your goals during short-term study abroad
Through my interactions with Chinese students, I realized the importance of conversation. Many of the students could speak Japanese, so I didn't feel inconvenienced in conversation, but I couldn't understand anything the Chinese students were saying to each other, which left me feeling frustrated, anxious, and scared. Having experienced the feeling of not being able to understand the other person's language, I decided that my goal during my short-term study abroad was to be able to speak in the language of the country I was studying in. At first, I was nervous about participating in the program with people I didn't know, but through the training I quickly became friends with my fellow students, which helped to increase my motivation for university life.
Ryota Hosoya (graduated from Senjodai High School)
I learned the importance of carefully examining information.
When I visited the consulate, I was impressed by the consul's words, "See with your own eyes and think with your own head." Until now, I had a strong negative impression of Japan-China relations based on reports in the news. However, actually visiting Shanghai gave me a very positive impression. There are things you don't know until you see them with your own eyes. I felt that what the consul said was true. I also learned that by working with a vision, you can do more meaningful work. I would like to use the experience of this training in my future student life while setting my own goals.
Erika Ishii (graduated from Narita Kita High School)