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EDUCATION

'Sustained relationship' with Tokyo university marked

Monday 11 March 2013, 10:33AM

By Massey University - International Office

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Back row, from left: Professor Paul Robertson, Jackie de Winter, Nicki Carpenter, Ursula Peake, Lesley McDonald, Hilde Celie; third row: Toshi Yamauchi, Professor Ingrid Day, PaCE director Andrea Flavel, HeyJoung Choi-Millward; second row: Satoko Robertson and Meisei students Sazan Akao, Aya Tanaka, Miwa Ueta and Takeru Suzuki; front row: Meisei students Reina Moriai, Haruka Okubo, Yurina Suda and Takeshi Misoko.
Back row, from left: Professor Paul Robertson, Jackie de Winter, Nicki Carpenter, Ursula Peake, Lesley McDonald, Hilde Celie; third row: Toshi Yamauchi, Professor Ingrid Day, PaCE director Andrea Flavel, HeyJoung Choi-Millward; second row: Satoko Robertson and Meisei students Sazan Akao, Aya Tanaka, Miwa Ueta and Takeru Suzuki; front row: Meisei students Reina Moriai, Haruka Okubo, Yurina Suda and Takeshi Misoko. Credit: Massey University

MANAWATU-WHANGANUI

Massey University's professional development centre has celebrated a decade of running an international study tour for students of Meisei University in Tokyo, Japan.

Every year, a group of students from Meisei come to Massey to take part in the English Communication and Cultural Understanding programme, run by the Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) centre.

Open to students from all faculties and departments of Meisei, the programme is designed to improve English language skills in a native speaking environment and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of other cultures. It emphasises learning through participation and experience.

This four-week programme includes integrated English classes, where they join with the Intensive English Language Studies classes in the morning and a tailor-made programme in the afternoon, which includes cultural activities and field trips such as a marae visit, beach trip, white-water rafting, farm tour, Wellington exploration, bush walk, school visits and a picnic with the host families they stay with in Manawatū. The homestays are considered an integral part of the overall programme.

Professor Paul Robertson from Meisei and his wife, Satoko, accompanied the group. They play a large role in the continued cooperation and success of the tour each year. Professor Robertson worked as a primary school teacher and teacher trainer in New Zealand before moving to Japan.

Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Ingrid Day attended a ceremony marking the anniversary involving PaCE staff and this year's Meisei students. Professor Day presented Professor Robertson with a double twist wooden carved sculpture called a pikorua, which symbolises the strength and beauty of enduring friendship and interwoven lives. “Sustained relationships such as this are fundamental to growing our international presence,” she said.