Feb 21 2018

Niigata University held an International Exchange Evening Party on Thursday, February 13, 2018 in order for local residents who help to support our international exchange to get acquainted with our international students, researchers, faculty and staff.

A total of 228 people from the Consulate General of Korea in Niigata, local governments, civil society organizations and local residents together with our international and Japanese students, faculty and staff members participated in this party that was held at the Dai-ichi Cafeteria on Ikarashi Campus.

After a greeting by President Sugata Takahashi, the party opened with a toast by Vice President Hideki Takahashi. The tables were covered with dishes such as hand-rolled sushi with local fish toppings, stew made of taro from Gosen City, bamboo dumplings, and Poppo-yaki cakes that are well-known in Niigata. Japanese sake made from the rice produced by the Faculty of Agriculture was also served. All of the participants deepened the ties while eating delicious Niigata cuisine.

A speech in Japanese by an international student who participated in the All-Japan speech contest (Theme: Understanding, Study and Change) was delivered, and an Indian dance and a Soran Bushi dance were performed by international and Japanese students between mingling, which added grace to the party.

Along with live performances of the shakuhachi flute and shamisen by members of the Niigata City International Friendship Society, dances such as Sado Okesa were performed. When the Niigata Jinku started at the end, the participants watching the dance joined, making the whole venue a large dance circle. The International Exchange Evening Party was a huge success.