2006.04.17

Welcome and Farewell Reception for International Students

Welcome and Farewell Reception for International Students

The welcome and farewell reception for the international students hosted by the President of Doshisha University was held in grand style at the Kyoto Garden Palace Hotel at 18:30 on Thursday 13th of April. 185 international students and 50 faculty and administrative staff attended the annual bash and a great time was had by all.

In the beginning of the reception, President Eiji Hatta delivered an opening speech followed by Professor Thomas Rohlich, Chair of AKP Board of Directors, Professor Johann Nawrochi, Resident Director of Tübingen University Center for Japanese Language at Doshisha University, and Professor Yukuji Okita, Dean for International Affairs. Then, Vice-President Nobuhiro Tabata gave a toast to everyone’s health and successful academic life, and the party officially started.

In his opening speech, President Hatta sent hearty cheers to the international students saying that he wished them to study hard and think Doshisha is their second home. The international students stood at round tables with faculty and administrative staff and enjoyed conversation with one another about study and student life at Doshisha University.

In the second half of the reception that started at 19:30, the respective presidents of Chinese Student Union, Korean Student Union and Taiwanese Student Union, and each representative of the new international students, the students of Doshisha University Center for Japanese Language(Ms.KIM,Young Sin), the AKP students and the Tübingen students gave a speech.

Their speeches, which were about their experiences in Japan and enthusiasm for study, sounded nervous at first but in fluent Japanese with a touch of humor, and received a roar of applause.

We are sure that this party was a great opportunity for the international students to interact socially and promote mutual friendship among them.