The International Student Support Program, "Aizu Marugoto Taiken," in Takasato Town
An excursion program for international students was held on Saturday, September 6, in Takasato Town, Kitakata. The event
was implemented as a part of the University of Aizu's support program for international students, "Aizu Marugoto Taiken,"
(The Total Aizu Experience) organized by the Center for Strategy of International Programs (CSIP) jointly with the Kitakata
International Association and the Support Association for International Students of the University of Aizu (SAISUA) so that
students could experience summer vegetables harvesting and exchange with local children through making soba noodles and "park golf"
activities. A total of 40 people, including 15 international students from China, Sri-Lanka, Korea and Hungary, faculty members
and staff of the University, and local volunteers participated in the program.
At first, the group visited the Wada Farm to experience the harvest of cucumbers, and participants ate the fresh cucumbers they picked
with miso. Then they moved to the Fureai Land Takasato to meet local children. Under the instruction of local soba-making masters, they
worked together to make soba noodles and enjoyed the noodles they had made for lunch. In the afternoon, they also enjoyed park golf to
deepen exchanges with the children. International students were really active in all these activities, and many participated for their
first time.
The "Aizu Marugoto Taiken" program is subsidized by the Japan Student Services Organization and the Nakajima Foundation
and provides opportunities for international students to experience cultures and customs in Aizu and to participate in exchanges
with people in the communities to help promote better understanding of the area in which they live. Skiing lessons under
this program are also being planned for the winter season.
 Cucumber harvesting |  At the Wada Farm |
 Soba-making |  Park golf |