From May 17 (Sun.) to June 1 (Mon.), 2026, Ehime University’s Institute for International Relations hosted 19 students from Ehime University’s partner institutions, College of Lake County (CLC) and Joliet Junior College (JJC), and their advisors, Associate Professor Jill Bruehlmann (CLC) and Professor Natalya Marchenko (JJC), and conducted a short-term training program. The program was led by Assistant Professor Hiding Adriana of Ehime University and volunteer students from Ehime University.
On the second day of the program, orientation and a welcome party were held for the students, on the fourth day they visited Oshima Island in Imabari City to learn about the history of the Seto Inland Sea, and on the sixth day they had Japanese lessons in preparation for their homestay. On the 10th day, a field trip to Uchiko Town was held. They also participated in an English class at Ehime University, visited Matsuyama Castle, Ishide Temple, and the Ehime Prefectural Museum of Art, and deeply experienced the traditions and history of Japan.
On the last day of the training, the results were presented in the form of a poster session in the courtyard next to the Johoku Campus Collaboration House Hall. The students presented the differences between the U.S. and Japan using posters they had created, and under sunny skies, many students and staff members visited the event and engaged in a lively exchange of opinions. In addition, as part of an English class held at the same time, a faculty member of the institute visited the poster session with students, and the students could be seen communicating in English with the visiting students and others.
At the farewell party, Ehime University’s traditional Japanese music circle performed live koto, shakuhachi, and shamisen music as they bid farewell to the students. The greatest value of this program was that the students were able to learn from each other through many exchanges, and it was an enjoyable time for all participants.
The Institute for International Relations hopes to continue to deepen exchanges with the College of Lake County and Joliet Junior College in the coming year and beyond, providing fruitful learning opportunities for students from both institutions.
＜Institute for International Relations＞
