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 seventh session was held on December 14th, (Sat) in the free space area of the first floor of the Student Plaza. This time’s topic was “Japanese home-style cooking”. Our cooking teacher was Yutaro Hayashi, a Japanese student. We prepared typical Japanese dishes called “seasoned rice with cooked mushrooms”, “miso-soup with short-neck clams” and “simmered meat and potatoes”. There were 7 Japanese students and 6 international students, so altogether 13 participants enjoyed the cooking. After having introduced themselves, they listened to the teacher’s instructions about the dishes and their preparation. Then they separated into several groups where they helped each other cook the dishes. After cooking, they gathered at one table and ate the dishes they prepared, talking about food and customs in Japan, Germany, America, China and other countries of their origin.



The participants said: “We had a lot of fun. The cooking was delicious, and I made friends. We are very satisfied. Next time, we will bring our friends with us.” Or: “I‘ve never exchanged with international students before, and I enjoyed it. Everybody was friendly and easy to talk to. Usually, I don’t cook but it was a good experience.” It was the first time to cook Japanese dishes, and the Japanese students had the opportunity to introduce their home country’s culture to international students. The students could not only deepen their own understanding of other country’s culture by experiencing food, but also enjoyed international exchange by cooking together.



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

Cooking together	With the just-completed dishes
Japanese home-cooking (photo of a sample)	Memorial picture with the cooking teacher (left end in the front row)

【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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