On October 22 (Tue) in the Reception Hall of the Faculty Club, a study abroad experience debriefing session was held from 18:05 to 20:00. A group of former exchange students who experienced study abroad (overseas training) through Hiroshima University’s various overseas study programs reported on their experiences to the approximately 90 participants, who ranged from international students and those who are interested in overseas education through members of the teaching staff.

This session was the fifth debriefing, continuing from spring of this year, and students who took part in one of the Hiroshima University overseas study programs such as the INU Student Seminar, START Program, English Plus ALOHA Program, University of Hamburg Study Abroad Program, Kyung Hee University, Korean Language Summer Course, G.ecbo Global Internship Program and USAC/HUSA Exchange Programs reported on their experiences. Five of the nine programs were introduced in English and the students had the opportunity to show the results of their language training abroad. This event attracted a wide range of interested students and not only undergraduate students in their first year but also graduate schools students from humanities and science courses as well took part in it. The main contents of the debriefing were on the program outlines, the motivation to study abroad, life at overseas study destinations and the personal transformation and changes students felt after coming home. One of the students who studied through the 11th START Program reflected his activity abroad and talked about his growth. He said, “I could overcome a variety of challenges and succeeded in taking my next step.” A student who studied in France with the HUSA Program told about his ambitions: “By studying abroad I obtained experiences and abilities and I’m eager to show them and to walk a new path.”

Participants of the 12th START Program to Indonesia presenting their experiences

At the end of the session, President Asahara finished saying, “It seems to me, that students who have the experience of studying abroad look stronger. I wish you to tell your junior fellows about your experiences abroad and to let them know how happy you are to have gone overseas. Our university plans to increase support for overseas study even more actively”.

One of the students said: “I heard not only concrete details on financial matters and contents of the programs, but also clear opinions and feelings directly from former participants”. Others mentioned that listening to the presentations gave them a great impetus.

Debrief Sessions on Former Exchange Students’ Overseas Experiences are held twice a year, in spring and autumn. The next debriefing session will be in April 2014.

Presentation of an USAC Program Participant (Norway)

President Asahara commenting on the presentations and talking about his vision of an internationalized campus

【Inquiries】

International Exchange Group,

Education and International Office,

Hiroshima University

TEL：082-424-4346

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

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