UNAIR NEWS – It has been eight years now, Japanese Literature Department has cooperated with Ashinaga Foundation. The foundation has sent two native speakers to be lecturer’s assistants. Interestingly, their ages are relatively in the same age with the students. Generally, the native speakers are in their sixth or seventh semester in their campus.

This year, two lecturer’s assistants from Japan are Seira Oie dan Kenya Yoshida. Seira is in her seventh semester of Kuansei Gakuin University, while Kenya is in her seventh semester of Tenri University.

“They blend in among students. The students often hang out with them, even going out of town,” said Ghulam Bintang Syahrial, one of the students of Japanese Literature.

He said that having native speakers really helped the study. Students can directly practice their knowledge and language skills to the native speakers. The two native speakers even also teach Kanji Calligraphy.

Both Seira and Kenya are happy to know Indonesian students. They had many interesting experiences. Unfortunately, they have to get back to Japan on March 1, 2016.

“I will miss my friends here,” said Seira last Tuesday February 23 in Faculty of Humanities. “We will never forget their warm welcome,” Kenya added.

The native speakers from Ashinaga Foundation usually arrive in Indonesia in April and leave in February the following year. Other than sending Japanese students to share knowledge in Indonesia, this foundation also gives opportunity for summer course to students. (*)

Author: Rio F. Rachman