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Japanese students exchange chill for cheers at UNE

February 16, 2005

Japanese Students 0014.jpg
Friendly faces and warm weather were just some of the first impressions gleaned by 20 students from Japan on an English program at the University of New England.
Organised by the university’s Language Training Centre (LTC), the program includes 20 students -- 14 women and six men -- from Chubu University, in Aichi-ken.
They were accompanied by the Vice- President of Chubu University, Dr Masayuki Ito and the Chairman of the Department of English Language and Culture, Professor Tadashi Shiozawa.
According to Professor Shiozawa, UNE was chosen from 20 Australian universities to host the program, a first for UNE.
The students arrived on Monday, February 14 and wore traditional costume for an official welcome. They were greeted by Ms Daisy William, Director of the LTC and other UNE dignitaries.
Professor Tadashi Shiozawa said UNE was chosen because of its excellent program and rural setting. “It is a beautiful campus and one of the things we noticed was the hotter weather, which was great after coming from a cold climate such as Japan,” Professor Shiozawa said.

The program was developed by Ms William. “It will mainly help the students in their English learning, but it also provides a cultural opportunity between the two countries,” she said.
A feature of the exchange program is a Cross-Cultural Communication study involving the students and Linguistics Professor Cliff Goddard, who will deliver a number of two-hour lectures aimed at improving students’ practical communication skills.
Besides learning English, the students will take part in an array of other activities while in Armidale, including sports activities, weekend excursions, cross-cultural communication study and a one-week trip to Sydney.
Chubu University also has a similar cultural program with Ohio University in the US, Professor Shiozawa said. “These programs certainly motivate the students and is a chance for them to learn a lot more about Australian culture and for them to tell their friends about their experiences,” he said.
Professor Robin Pollard also met with the dignitaries from Chubu University to discuss other opportunities for academic and scientific co-operation.
For more information phone Ms William on 6773 6430 or
Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779

Posted by Lydia Roberts at February 16, 2005 10:40 AM