On January 24th, Kofu City invited eight international students from four universities within the city to a roundtable discussion with Mayor Yuuichi Higuchi.
Two students from iCLA had the valuable opportunity to participate in this event titled Yocchabare Houdankai and share their perspectives on life in Kofu City. This roundtable, regularly hosted by the city, aims to gather input from residents of diverse backgrounds to help improve policies and practices.
The theme of this year’s event was 留学生と考える「輝き栄えるまち 甲府」, which translates to a “Discussing a ‘Vibrant and Prosperous Kofu City’ with International Students”. The event took place at the City Hall.
The iCLA students from Canada and Bulgaria expressed their thoughts on various topics, including Kofu as a study-abroad destination, local cuisine, and ways to enhance the city for foreign residents. One student highlighted the warm nature of the local residents and the many recreational spots available to young people, such as shopping malls, karaoke venues, and Kofu Castle. They emphasized how Kofu provides an appealing balance of study, leisure, and cultural activities. Another student suggested organizing more cross-cultural events where Japanese residents and international students can interact, fostering deeper mutual understanding between cultures.
This event provided iCLA students with a meaningful platform to contribute to the city’s internationalization efforts—shedding light on both the positive aspects of living in Kofu City and areas where improvements could better support international students as they adjust to a new culture.
The event was covered by YBS News (Yamanashi Broadcasting System): News Article (Japanese).
See Mayor Yuuichi Higuchi’s Official Facebook post on the event: Facebook (Japanese)