Enjoyed field trip to Suwa and Okaya with exchange students
Since last fall, the University of Nagano hosts exchange students from overseas partner institutions, and two students from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan are enrolled for the fall semester of the 2024 academic year.
On November 19, two buddy students, who have been supporting the exchange students since their arrival in Japan, organized a wakasagi (smelt) fishing trip on Lake Suwa. Their goal was to “experience something enjoyable together, even in the rain, in an area that they have never visited.”
The day of the trip turned out to be beautiful weather, and the autumn leaves visible from the car windows were magnificent. One of the buddy students, who frequently visited Suwa during high school, shared information about the area with the group. After filling up on regional specialities at a restaurant, they headed to Lake Suwa for the wakasagi fishing.
They boarded a small boat and then moved to a roof-covered boat. While they were on the small boat, an exchange student remarked, “I look like someone from the Showa era.” That expression surprised the buddy students and wondered where he learned such image. Also, the exchange students enjoyed a little nice chat with a facility staff member who was interested in shrimp fishing culture in Taiwan.
The staff taught them how to put bait on the hook and how to hold the fishing rod before they started fishing. The staff anxiously murmured, “Actually, the best time to fish is early in the morning. I wonder if you guys can get something….” Despite his worries, they gradually managed to catch fish. While some of the fish were not wakasagi and others were something larger, everyone managed to catch something.
After catching the fish, they quickly made tempura on the boat. The exchange students have never cooked tempura with fish alive, but they bravely tried their hands at frying. The freshly made tempura was so delicious that it was devoured almost immediately.
Smiles were present from start to finish, and the exchange students commented, “It was such an enjoyable day. I want to do this again.” It was a day that highlighted the unique charm of Nagano Prefecture, distinct from Nagano City.
(Global Center)
(Global Center)
・About ”Buddy” students
They are international student supporters to help inbound exchange students adjust smoothly to life and studies at the University of Nagano.
Information for student exchange program is available here.
They are international student supporters to help inbound exchange students adjust smoothly to life and studies at the University of Nagano.
Information for student exchange program is available here.