Report

A short-term Intensive Study Program aimed at addressing challenges in Pacific island regions through collaboration between Okinawa, Hawaiʻi, and Taiwan was held over 10 days from Monday, March 18, to Wednesday, March 27, 2024. A total of 10 participants joined the program, including 5 from the University of the Ryukyus, 3 from partner institutions in Hawaiʻi, and 2 from partner institutions in Taiwan.

The program combined lectures and fieldwork with a variety of cultural activities. Participating students deepened their connections with one another while learning about the wisdom of island communities and the principles of coexistence.

Overview

Dates: March 18 – March 27, 2024 (10 days)
Venue: University of the Ryukyus and various locations across Okinawa
Program Details
Lecture and Fieldwork
　・Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speech, Orientation, Ice-breaking Session
　・Lecture 1 “How to Make an Academic Self-Introduction”
　・Lecture 2 “Rubble in Paradise: Coral Reef Biodiversity in Okinawa”
　・Lecture 3 “Introduction Biomedical Engineering”
　・Lecture 4 “Discovering Okinawa’s Natural and Cultural Heritage in Nanjo”
　・Visit to Okinawa Prefecture Center for Archaeology and Culture
　・Visit to Sesoko Research Facility, Tropical Biosphere Research Center
　・Final Presentation
　・Closing Ceremony and Farewell Party

Culture Activity
　・Visit to Peace Memorial Park
　・Visit to Ocean Expo Park (Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and Tropical Dream Center)
　・Experience at the Bingata Workshop “Gusuku”

Voices from Participants

The participating students shared that the program not only expanded their career options, such as teaching English in Japan, but also helped them adapt to new environments and enjoy the experience despite initial anxieties. Moreover, the program inspired them to pursue further academic and professional goals, such as obtaining a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification, advancing to graduate studies in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of the Ryukyus, and deepening their interest in linguistic research.

Snapshots