Did you know that Tokyo Tech has about 1,700 international students from 84 different countries and regions? However, there are not many opportunities for Japanese and international students to interact with each other!
Taki Plaza Gardener is hosting an international exchange event at Taki Plaza. The name of the event is "Taki Plaza Bar". This event was developed with the idea of gathering together casually on Friday nights to enjoy international exchange over drinks and games.
We have been working together with international students since the planning phase. Whether you want to be a member of the management team or participate in the event, why don't you try international exchange and enjoy a foreign culture?
- Taki Bar in CHINA -
2021/11/9 (Fri) 18:30～20:30
As the theme country for the second event, we chose "China" because it has the largest percentage of international students. Japanese and Chinese students participated in the planning and operation of the event as members of the management team. On the day of the event, 70 people, almost double the number of the previous event, participated and enjoyed various international exchanges.
・Games
We enjoyed a game that originated in China called "Chuī niú". It is a game similar to Doubt, using dice and cups. Because it was a relatively mind-intensive game, participants enjoyed it again and again.
・Quiz Contest
As a new content, a quiz contest was held on the stage. The quiz was, of course, about China. Prizes were prepared and participants had a lot of fun.
・Hanbok (traditional Chinese clothing) fitting
We held a costume fitting event of traditional Chinese clothes, which were borrowed from a Chinese student who is a member of our management team. Many had seen it before, but few had ever tried it on, so they enjoyed posing in it and taking photos.
・VR Sightseeing
As in the previous event, visitors enjoyed a virtual sightseeing tour using VR. This time, in addition to famous sightseeing spots, we prepared an activity to see pandas. Some people were relaxed from their daily fatigue by watching cute pandas.
・Drinks
In addition to two kinds of juice and two kinds of tea, Qingdao beer was distributed as a gift. Some visitors seemed to have come for the beer... Well, that's one way to enjoy the event!
- Taki Bar in KOREA -
2021/7/9 (Fri) 18:30～20:30
The theme country for the very first event was Korea, and we worked with four Korean students to plan the content of the event. On the day of the event, a total of 30-40 international and Japanese students gathered to enjoy international exchange through enjoying games conversation, and so on in a relaxed atmosphere.
・Board Game
We prepared a board game that originated in Korea called YUT. It is a backgammon-like game in which wooden sticks are used as dice. The difference from backgammon is that you form teams to fight. Everyone was having a fun time, though it was in a relaxed state with mats on the floor.
・Piano Performance
The first half of the event was a piano performance by the "Platanus", a piano ensemble circle in Tokyo Tech. The performance was truly well suited to the name "Bar" and the atmosphere was very relaxing.
・Music video show
After the piano performance by the Platanus, music videos of BTS, TWICE, and other popular Korean artists were shown. The upbeat music helped spark conversation and enliven the event.
・VR Sightseeing
The event featured a virtual tour of Jeju Island Itaewon, and so on. All of them are Korean most popular tourist destinations. Visitors enjoyed a 360° view of the city and feel as if they were traveling around Korea.
・Drinks
Although the food and beverage program was called off, we distributed Korean soft drinks "Hete" and Korean teas "Sikke" and "Sujonga" to visitors as a gift. Despite being a neighboring country, it is rare to see such drinks sold in Japan. It is a very rare opportunity to get local beverages, which is one of the best parts of international exchange events.