この秋、旭川市立大学のジェフリー・カー准教授の授業とゼミでは、オーストラリアのシドニーにあるマッコーリー大学の受賞歴のあるPACEインターンシップ・プログラムから3名のオンライン・インターンを受け入れることになりました。 現在進行中のオンライン・インターンシップ・プログラムでは、オーストラリア、アメリカ、パキスタン、香港、バングラデシュから文化的背景を持つ9名のインターンを受け入れています。 PACEインターンは、EFLの共同ライティング・プログラムのフィードバックやサポート、CLILセミナーの補助、EFLの学生との少人数グループ・セッションでの課題や異文化理解のサポートなどを行っています。 さらに、今秋のPACEインターンたちは、FeedbackFruitsのデジタル教育・コラボレーション・プラットフォームを旭川市立大学に導入するための試験的プログラムにも参加する予定です。

This fall, Asahikawa City University associate professor Geoffrey Carr’s classes and seminar will host three online interns from the award-winning PACE internship program at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia.   The ongoing online internship program has now hosted nine interns with cultural backgrounds from Australia, the United States, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.  Our PACE interns provide feedback and support on collaborative EFL writing programs, assist in our CLIL seminar, and assist with assignments and cross-cultural understanding in small group sessions with EFL students.   In addition, this fall’s PACE interns will also be working in a pilot program to bring the FeedbackFruits digital teaching and collaboration platform to Asahikawa City University.

Let’s look at their introductions and videos:

Fatimah Faiz

Hello!

My name is Fatimah, and I am a second-year student at Macquarie University studying a Bachelor of International Studies with a specialization in German and minors in International Relations. I currently live in a small suburban town in Sydney, and it takes me about half an hour to get to university. I also work part-time as a receptionist.

This is the central courtyard at university where my friends and I hang out.

This is the building where I have most of my classes.

I chose my degree because I wanted to explore diverse cultures. I am interested in languages because it is a way for people to express themselves, can reflect the values, history, traditions, and beliefs of a community, and is a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. I am also studying parts of Criminology and International relations because I am curious about the complex relationship between global politics, security, and criminal activities. International relations and criminology expose me to diverse cultures, legal systems, and political structures, which enhance my cross-cultural understanding.

I’m starting an internship with Asahikawa City University as part of my International Studies degree. My job is to help with students’ projects as a teaching assistant. I am very excited to learn about what all the students at Asahikawa University do and what activities you are all doing in your classes!

Japan’s history of samurai culture and the feudal era has always fascinated me, such as the Bushido Code and its principles of honor, discipline, and loyalty. I have read many stories about legendary samurai figures. I also think the simplicity, elegance, and minimalism found in samurai art and architecture are extremely pretty. I would love to see traditional Japanese architecture, and Japan’s natural landscapes, like the mountains, gardens, and Onsen’s. Pop culture in Japan is also something I am interested in as is Japan’s innovative technology, especially in robotics and the automotive industry as someone who is a Formula One fan, I love watching the race in Suzuka.

Motorsports!

I’m very excited to meet you all!!

Introductory Video

Marcus Wong

Hey everyone, I’m Marcus and I’m a third-year student at Macquarie University studying a Bachelor of International Studies with Japanese as my major. In July 2023 I visited Hokkaido, Sapporo by myself where I had the opportunity to assist in an English and Australian culture class in person. I love talking to the Japanese exchange students we have here at Macquarie and I’m excited to be meeting all of you. I also love Japanese food like sushi, ramen, and miso soup. Since June, I have tried to drink miso soup at least once a day. I also like reading books in Japanese from authors such as Dazai Osamu and Itsuki Hiroyuki.

I decided to pick International studies as my major because I wanted to move to Japan and live there. I am also interested in teaching English in Hokkaido. The question I get asked the most is “How did I learn Japanese?”.  I believe that listening and reading are the two most important elements of learning a language. While learning Japanese, I spent most of my time listening to music and reading a wide range of books such as the origin of Japanese words, books on how to teach skills to other people, and short stories.

One of my favorite things about Japan is how easy it is to go to an onsen. I went to an onsen for the first time in July and I liked it so much I ended up going 6 times! In Sydney we don’t have onsens so when I go back to Japan I want to go to as many onsens as possible. 

My favorite memories from Hokkaido were eating Genghis Khan, sushi and soup curry, and going camping with my friends. 

I like the environment and in my free time, I volunteer with a Japanese organization called Green Bird where we pick up litter from different places like the city and the beach.

Next year during March, I’ll be an exchange student in Tokyo at Rikkyo University which will be really exciting as it’s a chance for me to improve on my last exchange.

I’m interested in what you guys do in your free time so please tell me when you have a chance to speak to me!

Introductory Video

Rida Ansary 

Konnichiwa! My name is Rida

I am a student at Macquarie University studying a Bachelor of Social Science and International Studies.
I am starting an internship with Asahikawa City University as part of my International studies degree. My job is to help with students’ projects as a research assistant. 

I hope to pursue a career in International relations and diplomacy. By taking on this internship I want to develop my cross-cultural literacy and communication skills while helping you all to improve yours through your assessments. Alongside my studies, I also like to write articles and poetry to reflect on current world issues as well as on religion and politics. 

These skills help to pave the way for a possible international career that can make a difference in the lives of others. I hope that your studies in English and elsewhere set you on a path to better the world in any way you can!

I want to learn much about the students and life at Asahikawa City University, especially what activities you all take part in during your classes.

I have had an interest in Japanese culture, history, and geography since childhood. My earlier interest in Japan was in the natural scenery that we find in literature and on the screen. I always liked to add traditional Sakura blossoms to my artworks and was fascinated by the images of autumn trees in rural Japan. In Australia there are subtle influences from Japanese gardening and some people have even learned to cultivate plants such as the wisteria and maple. One of my wishes is to see the original landscape of Japan up close and enjoy these plants in their original environment!

Visiting a garden in Sydney.

I also like to learn about literature and the works of notable authors such as Natsume Soseki and Nakahara Chuuya, whose histories have been adapted in many different ways and enjoyed around the world through anime and manga. I find that the patterns of storytelling used by Japanese authors in their poetry and novels are effective in keeping readers 

interested and in suspense. While they dabble with very different fantastical elements they are still realistic and often have a moral story that stays with us for a long time. 

Food and clothing are another area of exploration that has interested me for a while. I really enjoy the traditional bento that we can find locally, but I also attempted to cook a few Japanese staples such as udon, katsu-curry, and desserts such as cotton cheesecake.

(It is not like Uncle Tetsu’s, but I have practiced the recipe for over 5 years!). I like to experiment with new recipes along with my sister whenever I have free time. 

I also love the simple yet elegant design of the kimono and the concept of Wabi-Sabi which is common in Japanese fashion and lifestyle. I hope to one day be able to design a dress inspired by the kimono.

It is nice to meet everyone.

Introductory Video