July 7, 2008
A welcome party for newly enrolled international students was held on the evening of Wednesday 7th of July at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall. The party, which was hosted by the president of Kyoto University, was attended by around 400 international students.
Annual welcome parties for international students have been held since 1961. They provide an opportunity for the newly enrolled students to interact in a relaxed atmosphere with many university officials and staff members, including vice-presidents, executive directors, the directors of various faculties and administrative departments and lecturers. There are also many invited guests in attendance from organizations and institutions outside of the university.
The date of the party coincided with Tanabata, the Japanese Star Festival, and the hall was decorated accordingly. The party was opened with a welcoming greeting by President Kazuo Oike, which was followed by a further speech by Ms. Alison Evans, the representative for the international students. Ms. Evans hails from the U.K., but delivered part of her speech in fluent Japanese. Then, Vice President Toshio Yokoyama, director general of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations led the party attendees in a toast.
In his speech, President Oike told the assembled students about how the culture of the ancient city of Kyoto had benefited from its rich supply of underground well water. The speech was interpreted in English, Chinese and Korean by Mr. Mikhov Rosen, a Bulgarian student in the Graduate School of Science; Mr. Xu He, a Chinese student in the Graduate School of Engineering; and Mr. Song Inwhan, a Korean student in the Graduate School of Informatics, all of whom were recently appointed Honorary Friendship Ambassadors for Kyoto Prefecture.
As is customary at such events, the party featured a welcoming performance by the Kyoto University Symphonic Band. The performance included such popular tunes as the theme from Hayao Miyazaki's animated film "My Neighbor Totoro" and a medley of songs by the Carpenters. This was followed by a dance performance by the official Kyoto University dance team Saikyozensen..
Following the dance performance, Dr. Aruno Suzuki, a lecturer in the Faculty of Science International Affairs Office led the party's participants in a recital of Tanabata-sama, the traditional song of the Tanabata Star Festival. Following this recital several of the international students performed songs from their own countries, and students from many diverse countries and areas including France, India, Vietnam, Tunisia, China, Mozambique and Taiwan took to the stage.
The party also featured a Tanzaku Corner, where, with advice from KI-ZU-NA tutors, the international students could partake in the traditional Tanabata Festival custom of writing wishes on small strips of paper, known as tanzaku, and hanging them on bamboo. Among the wishes of the students were requests such as "full exemption from tuition fees" and "improve my Japanese ability." The party was a memorable and enjoyable experience for all participants.
 (L to R) Mr. Song Inwhan from Korea (Graduate School of Informatics), Mr. Xu He from China (Graduate School of Engineering), Mr. Mikhov Rosen from Bulgaria (Graduate School of Science) , President Kazuo Oike | |
 Ms. Alison Evans （ Research Fellow studying Japanese and Japanese Studies ） |  Vice President Toshio Yokoyama, director general of the Organization for the Promotion of International Relations |
 Kyoto University Symphonic Band |  A scene from the party |
 |  A performance by some of the international students |