International students taking up the challenge of planting rice

(Oita Godo Newspaper, July 11^th 2010, Morning Paper, Page 12)

Oita Prefecture's main support for communication is students from Koto high school and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific university's (APU) international students. They participated in a rice planting event held at Oita prefecture.

For the high school students this is not only part of learning about rice planting, but also a chance to have an exchange with international students. 19 high school students and 6 international students participated.  

After land owner of the rice fields, Mr Tachigawa(age 62) gave them a lesson on how to plant rice, the students went on to put their knowledge into practice in the fields. Submerge in mud; they gently plant the seedlings into the field. Furthermore, communicating in English made the exchange a more pleasant one.

Year 2 high school student, Izumi said: "Planting rice is so much fun! I learnt so much from just this experience"

A third year student international relations APU student, Genève cook (age 21), said: " I am able to experience Japanese culture and its very significant to me. It was a pleasure meeting the high school students."

The students are going to harvest the rice that the planted today in autumn.  

Comments

I too had an experience planting the rice in the rice field, and it was a pleasant experience. Coming from Singapore, there are virtually no farms or rice fields, there is only sky scrapers and high rise buildings. Being in Oita prefecture, I experienced a new experience and I loved it, the serenity and tranquility that Mother Nature provides is priceless.

Many international students find it hard to make friends outside school, and I think events like this would create chances for the international students to make friends with the Japanese high school students.

Tay Zhong Jie Edwin

Singapore

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, APM 4