Hiroshima University hosts many events such as cultural interchange or experiential nature programs in order to encourage exchange between international and Japanese students. Starting last academic year, we have been conducting “Regional World Cooking”: International students from various countries become “one-day cooking teachers” and participants, international and Japanese students, cook and eat traditional local specialties of the teacher’s home country together.



The fifth session was held on June 29, (Sat) in the free space on the first floor of the Student Plaza. The students made “Umutsima (a dish made from corn)” and “Ibishyimbo (a dish made from red beans and carrots)”. The cooking teacher this time was Mr. NZEYIMANA Jean Claude (Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation), an international student from Rwanda. There was one international student and 14 Japanese students, so altogether there were 15 participants enjoying the cooking. First they introduced themselves and listened to the teacher’s instructions, then they divided into several groups where they helped each other cook the dishes.



As Mr. Claude lectured the participants in English throughout the event, Japanese students listened intently to his explanations. In survey responses, many participants said: “It was nice experiencing Rwandan cooking for the first time in my life.”, “It was fun, so I want to participate again.” or “It was nice to have an opportunity to connect with various people regardless of nationality, grade or faculty”. Participants also said:” I’d like to try this at home.”, “Working together and eating together helped us make friends.” and “It was a good experience seeing differences in cooking style and ingredients”. The food provided cross-cultural experiences and helped deepen cross-cultural understanding. By cooking together, the students were able to enjoy international exchange.



Knowing each other’s daily life food culture helps one understand other cultures, and we hope that international exchange on campus will continue to become more and more active.

The students listening to the cooking teacher's instructions	Cooking together
A Rwandan dish	Eating together

【Inquiries】

International Exchange Group,

Education and International Office,

Hiroshima University

TEL：082-424-4541

E-mail：kokusai-ryugaku(AT)office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

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