On Sunday, March 16^th, World Campus — Japan Participants were invited to attend the Suita Expo Event and to present our group’s mission of intercultural exchange. Of course, we brought some of our clothes and goods from our home countries to display as well. Beside the booth we performed a Japanese Medley on stage and some of us were interviewed by a famous radio DJ. In addition, four of us got the chance to take part at the 1.5 km family marathon.

The day started with a surprise for the team who had properly arranged all the goods and clothes from the different countries the day before, including hanging the appropriate flags behind the tables against the walls. But when we arrived on Sunday, we were told to rearrange everything in another booth which, luckily, was nearby. Soon after we finished the setup, the first visitors arrived and we got the chance to explain the displayed goods and the culture or history behind them.

Shortly after lunch, the first highlight of the day was on schedule; the 1.5 km family marathon where four of us, Guang from the U.S., Henning from Norway, Henry from Uganda and myself, were invited to take part. Because we were lined up at the very end of the participants at the start, we had to find our way through all the kids and family members to catch up to the front. As a former semi professional sportsman I am not able to take part at a race without going for the top. Despite the fact that I had not really practiced anything during the past four years, I almost caught up with the leader and finally finished in second place which was a big surprise even for myself!

Not long after the race, around 3 p.m., we attended a performance of a local dance and music group and were asked to come on stage and try to take part in their show. The audience in front of the stage was quite impressive and included many enthusiastic people of our own age. Soon after the dance and music performance finished, a well known local radio DJ came on stage and to interview some of us.We changed to another stage after the interview where we performed some parts of our Arigato Event performance, including country introductions and the Japanese medley in front of a less numerous, but more serious, audience.

Over all, the Expo Event was a superb platform to present World Campus International and it’s many different facets. It gave us the chance to get in touch with a lot of people we would not have met elsewhere. Thank you Suita!

(Cyrill Gross, Switzerland)

In Suita city, Osaka Prefecture, the World Campus – Japan class had the opportunity to visit several companies that are located in this area. Below are reports from 2 of our participants.

I visited Malony Co., Ltd. on the March 17^th. The company is known for producing the famous Malony (noodles made of corn and potato starch), which you can find in most supermarkets throughout the country. Production of these started in 1964 and they sell especially well during the wintertime, when used by most Japanese in Nabe (Japanese kind of Hot Pot).

We got to talk to the general manager of the sales division of the company, got an overview of the company’s development and had the chance to ask questions. Another fascinating part was when we got to see the different stages of how noodles look like while being produced. First it looks like a thick, clear and soft sheet of gummy. This is then cut into long noodle strains of about 2.5 meters, before the noodles are cut into their original size.

It’s been a fun and informative day. We all had to wear white protective clothes and a hat because of hygiene reasons, which made all of us look like smart chemists. I had the chance to take home a couple of long noodle strains to proudly show to others.

We learned that the company does not really expand to the international market for the time being. It would be very hard to compete against the local market in a different country, since the success of a food company is especially depending on dietary needs in the region.

(Sophia Potter, Germany)

2. The Asahi Broadcasting Company

I went to the Asahi Broadcasting Company (ABC). ABC is a local television and radio station, which primarily produces TV programs and radio for the Kansai Area for approximately 21 million people.

Our tour began with a round table discussion where our initial questions were answered. We learned that Japan has 7 key stations throughout the country plus many local broadcasting companies.

While visiting the master room, where the TV shows are brought on air, one could already see the change from analog to digital TV. In fact, ABC will move to a new building this year because they will be getting new equipment for this rapidly growing digital age. Another very interesting opportunity was to watch an on air radio interview, because you could see the radio moderator live in action.

After the lunch at the company cafeteria, we went to see the ABC symphony hall, which was the first concert hall exclusively built for western classic music in Japan. Not only the sound quality but also the huge pipe organ was astonishing.

(Katharina Haack, Germany)