NEWS

From Tuesday, August 9, 2022 to Thursday, August 11, elementary school students gathered to use English and think about social problems at the first Global Camp. A total of 16 elementary students from grades 4 to 6 came from all over western Japan to the APU campus to participate in this learning program.

English has become a requirement in elementary schools in Japan, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with overseas travel, chances to use English and interreact with other cultures became scarce. As restrictions continued under the pandemic, JTB Co., Ltd. and Beppu City wondered if it would be possible to take advantage of the APU environment, where international students from 94 countries and regions around the world gather, to provide elementary school students with a formative and memorable experience. Together they realized this project to contribute to the local community as well as society.

The camp was taught by professors of the College of Sustainability and Tourism, which will open April 2023. Students were presented with 5 issues, which included topics such as “the differences and wonders of the world” and “future tools to stop climate change.” A total of 21 APU students from 8 different countries and regions supported the students in their study and presentations.

On the second day of camp, Mahathir bin Mohamad, Former Prime Minister of Malaysia and Honorary Doctorate of APU, lectured on the theme of “”. After the lecture, students did their best to ask him their questions in English. In response to one student who asked, “Is there anything elementary school students can do to make peace?” Mahathir responded, “Get involved and make friends from all over the world. We wouldn’t want to go to war with friends, so that must be a way toward world peace.” After the Q&A, participants shared their opinions on war and peace in a discussion called “To get along with the countries of the world.”

On the last day of camp, students expressed what they learned over the 3 days in a picture diary and presented on their future goals. One student expressed, “I got to know about the world, and I learned a lot.” Another said, “It was very fun, and I would want to join again.” Lastly, one more commented, “It was hard, but the international students helped me, so I had fun.”