After several years of limited travel, eight University of Waterloo students were able to participate in the Kakehashi Project, a week-long exchange program through Japan’s Friendship Ties Programs, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The students spent their Reading week, February 17-25, 2024 in Japan, exploring the cities of Tokyo and Aichi. Their trip was followed by a special exchange day at Waterloo when Renison hosted six Japanese students in early March. The project is designed to build mutual understanding and friendship between Canadian and Japanese students with engaging, and often transformative, intercultural experiences.

The eight Waterloo students who participated come from diverse programs, and five of them have Renison connections. Denise is a student in Social Development Studies; Teagan (Communication Art and Design Practice), Marcus (Geography and Aviation), and Katelyn (Arts and Business) have completed several of Renison’s Japanese language courses; and Matthew (Nanotechnology Engineering) is a Don in Renison Residence. During their nine-day excursion, the exchange students experienced cutting-edge technologies at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, Panasonic Center Tokyo, and teamLAB★, and learned about history, tradition, arts, and architecture while exploring the University of Tokyo Museum, Azabudai Hills, Harajuku, Asakusa (an older district of Tokyo), and visiting Nagoya Castle (in photo above). During the visit to Chukyo University, the students were also invited to a traditional tea ceremony at a nearby temple. There were many highlights, but according to participant Marcus, the best part of the trip was the homestay where students stayed with a Japanese host family for a night. Another participant, Denise, said that she learned a lot during the experience, but observed, “I learned how different Canada is from the rest of the world but also how humans on a grand scale are the same.”

Shortly after the Canadian students returned, six students from Komatsu University, Japan, arrived in Waterloo. These students visited the Waterloo campus and Renison on Tuesday, March 5. They explored the Sedra Student Design Centre, then attended a Buddhism lecture by Dr. Wilson, a professor in the Culture and Language Studies. Later that same day, the Japanese exchange students gave a presentation that included workshops. As the day came to a close, both Komatsu and University of Waterloo Kakehashi Project participants exchanged their perspectives on Japan-Canada relationship at a panel discussion, which was attended by many students taking Japanese courses at Renison.

Renison extends sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan (MOFA) for this great exchange opportunity, as well as the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APFC) and the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) for meticulous program delivery. Program implementation at Waterloo was conducted by Waterloo International, the Renison International Office, and the Culture and Language Studies department.

Students hold their watcards up in front of Japanese temple.

Students explore Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.

Students sitting at a table with their host family enjoying a meal.

Students spend time with homestay family.

Students stand on the porch of a rustic Japanese home.

Exploring Kousho-ji Temple in Nagoya near Chukyo University.

Students selfie group shot with Tokyo tower in the background.

Students exploring Tokyo, the Tokyo tower can be seen in the background.

Group shot of participating students. They are holding the Kakehashi sign and you can see the Tokyo tower in the background.

Students exploring Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower can be seen in the background.

Students participate in a tea ceremony.

During the visit to Chukyo University, students were also invited to a traditional tea ceremony at nearby Kousho-ji Temple in Nagoya.

Students hold their watcards up in front of Japanese temple.
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Students explore Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
Students sitting at a table with their host family enjoying a meal.
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Students spend time with homestay family.
Students stand on the porch of a rustic Japanese home.
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Exploring Kousho-ji Temple in Nagoya near Chukyo University.
Students selfie group shot with Tokyo tower in the background.
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Students exploring Tokyo, the Tokyo tower can be seen in the background.
Group shot of participating students. They are holding the Kakehashi sign and you can see the Tokyo tower in the background.
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Students exploring Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower can be seen in the background.
Students participate in a tea ceremony.
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During the visit to Chukyo University, students were also invited to a traditional tea ceremony at nearby Kousho-ji Temple in Nagoya.