International Student from Uppsala University Joined Teaching Practice Program
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Student from Uppsala University (2nd from left), Dean Muramatsu (center), and faculty members of the Faculty of Education
The Faculty of Education, Shinshu University and the Department of Education, Uppsala University in the Kingdom of Sweden, concluded the MoU and MoA in November 2019 and have been engaging in the exchange of students and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) classes.
From 19 April to 23 May 2023, the Faculty of Education hosted a student from Uppsala University. The faculty has designed a curriculum for the student that focuses on both learning in university classes and teacher training in an affiliated primary school, as the student aims to become a primary school teacher in his home country.
During the first two weeks, the student attended classes and activities held in English at the Faculty of Education. He mainly studied the Japanese school system, linguistics, intercultural understanding, teaching English in Japan, communicating with children in English and physical education in Japan. He also had the opportunity to give a presentation about Sweden to the students of the Faculty of Education.
The remaining two weeks of the program were primarily spent on teacher training at the affiliated elementary school in Nagano City. He observed various classes, had school lunches, participated in school cleaning, read books in English to the pupils, and taught a foreign language class. Close collaboration between faculty members and elementary school teachers enriched the program, including preparation and reflection sessions before and after classes.
An outstanding aspect of the program was that seven students from the Faculty of Education, who are also planning to become teachers after graduation, supported the student from Uppsala University in many aspects and gained valuable learning experiences and confidence. Furthermore, in this program, the student supporters not only formed a friendship with the student from Uppsala but also had a sense of accomplishment by significantly contributing to his learning, utilizing their English skills and education knowledge.
At the end of the program, the international student commented that he was fortunate to have seen good teachers and friends, learned a lot, and had wonderful memories in Shinshu. He seemed to gain valuable experiences at Shinshu University that can help him become a superior teacher in the future.
One of the student supporters will study at Uppsala University for an academic year from this summer. Additionally, two of our students currently studying there are scheduled to return in June. They will share their precious experiences with our students, which will stimulate their interest in studying abroad. It seems certain that international exchange and partnership with Uppsala University will develop further.
- Dr. Hiroki Yamamoto, Assistant Professor and International Student Supervisor, Faculty of Education
