“Tamagawa Gakuen SGH Domestic Training” was held for the purpose of building a deeper understanding of the theme which each student has been studying.
28 students from 9th grade to 12th grade, who participated in African Studies, European Studies, or the Global Studies programs, attended this training event.
The event, entitled “Discussion in the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management: Global Issues Tamagawa Students See as important in 2016” was held with cooperation with the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, which is an organization that aims to nurture future leaders. Using the school facilities, students held discussions and gave presentations about the themes that they have studied.
The event was held at a site, 15-minutes by bus, from Tsujido Station in Kanagawa Prefecture. Students were excited to see the amazing large site surrounded by nature and the beautiful white-colored facilities.
In the auditorium, students received a greeting from the headmaster after their introduction to the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management; “I hope the event today will be an opportunity for you to think about your future plans”.
At first, the students seemed nervous in the solemn atmosphere of the facilities, but after meeting the headmaster who was very welcoming and friendly, and listening to the stories of the alumni of the school who came to support the event, they slowly relaxed and began to smile more.
After the tour of the inside of the school, the students divided into groups based on their own research themes.
Themes the students chose were all related to international problems that are happening in the world today: “Accepting refugees in Japan and Europe,” “Resolution of Child Labor Problems with the help of IT “, “Discrimination Against Women in Education”, and so on. Each discussion group worked with the alumni of the institute or the head of the event. These people acted as facilitators. Some groups held the entire discussion in English only.
After the self-introduction session, an ice breaking session was held. The students thought back to what they had learned in school and on their travels to Africa and Europe.
And finally, the discussion of the themes that have been studying started. “What does this mean?” and “What do you think about this issue?” were some examples of the questions asked. The students deepened their knowledge of their own research theme through questions from the facilitators. They also enjoyed the discovery of new perspectives and opinions that they have never noticed before then
The facilitators asked questions like “Can you clear up your understanding more?” “What is your passion on this topic?” “Why does that happen?” while the students were brushing up the presentation which they prepared beforehand so that students can review the content of their research and organize what each really wanted to say.
The presentations, which students prepared step by step, were all clearly laid out and all of the groups had confidence when they were giving them to the audience. The members of the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management also gave comments; “Students told us what they really wanted to tell us and they provided data to reinforce their opinions which was well-related” and “It was originally very complex but now it is very simple and became easier to understand”. Students were definitely feeling a level of personal growth after hearing these comments.
Students gave following comments at the reflection session;
“I was able have a chance to rethink why I participated in the overseas training program in the first place, and why I choose this theme.” Now, I am no longer lost in thinking about my future plans because I got a lot of good advice to help me decide what I want to do in the future.”
At last, the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management gave the students some final thoughts and event concluded
This event was a very good opportunity for students to integrate what they had experienced and to develop their self- image and help them clarify what their future plans are.
Moreover, they were able to build their courage to work toward their goals.
The faces of the students as they left the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management were very bright and their confidence was very high.
