On August 7, 2024, the "Cultural Connections" event marked its third successful year, continuing to build bridges between high school and university students through cross-cultural exchange. This year's theme, "Connecting through Foods," brought together 13 high school students from Inakita High School and Nozawakita High School, 8 international students, and 6 Japanese students from our campus. The event, an extension of our ongoing collaboration with Inakita High School, has grown into a cornerstone of our international engagement efforts.

Participants represented a diverse array of countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Benin, Mongolia and Japan, contributing to a vibrant cultural tapestry. The day began with an inspiring welcome from Professor Katayama, Director of the International Center for Agricultural Education and Research (ICAER), who encouraged participants to broaden their perspectives and try their best in communicating in English. The event's slogan, "With cultural connections, let's unite and break barriers," was a guiding principle throughout the day's activities.

The program was filled with a variety of engaging activities that promoted intercultural understanding. High school students led an icebreaker session, which set a lively and interactive tone. Following this, international and Japanese students gave insightful presentations on their respective food cultures, sparking curiosity and dialogue among participants. Throughout the day, performances by international and high school students featuring songs and dances were seamlessly integrated into the schedule, enriching the event with spontaneous moments of cultural celebration.

The heart of the event was the International Potluck Lunch, held at midday. Participants brought their home countries' dishes, offering a culinary journey that reflected the diversity present. This shared meal was a pivotal moment, as students connected over the universal language of food, deepening their understanding of each other's cultures. Feedback from participants emphasized the impact of this experience, with one student stating, "It was a lot of fun! I was able to eat delicious foreign food and learn a lot." Another added, "It was fun to talk and have lunch with people I don't usually have a chance to meet," while a third shared, "I had a lot of fun communicating with people from various countries and eating foreign foods."After the lunch, the event continued with a group quiz on global food cultures, fostering teamwork and friendly competition. This was followed by group discussions on food culture, where participants exchanged thoughts on dining etiquettes and culinary traditions from around the world. The day concluded with a reflection-sharing session, allowing participants to express their insights and takeaways from the event.

The "Cultural Connections" event stands as a powerful example of unity through diversity, reflecting our university's commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect. As we look to the future, we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the beauty of cultural diversity and building connections that transcend borders.

Icebreaker session

Food introduction by international students

Group work

Group picture