Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies

Fall 2012 Orientation Day 2: Ceremony, Exam, and Cool-Down

The second day of Fall 2012 JASIN Program Orientation featured a formal Opening Ceremony, Japanese Placement Exam, and cool-down event with Japanese conversation partners and other new and returning international students.

In addition to the 21 new JASIN students, an additional 120 short-term and degree-seeking international students participated in a special Fall Opening Ceremony, contrasting with the traditional April start of the school year in Japan.

As part of the ceremony, each student took the stage one-by-one to shake hands with University President Akihito Ishikawa. Later during the ceremony, President Ishikawa spoke about the start of the JASIN program in 1998 with three students from Iowa and its expansion to include approximately 80 students each year from across North America and Europe.

Following a break for lunch, students participated in a 90-minute Japanese Placement Exam with multiple choice and essay questions. The results of the exam will be announced on Tuesday, September 25.

During the first week of classes, students will attend classes at their recommended Japanese language level, with the option to audit additional courses at higher or lower levels. After comparing the classes, interested students may request to move into a higher or lower level for the remainder of the semester.

After the conclusion of the Placement Exam, students relaxed in the lounge with food, drinks, and a performance by the university's Jasmine Belly Dance club. Although the event was only scheduled to run for an hour, many students stayed long after the conclusion to chat with new friends and reflect on their first days in Nagasaki.

Orientation continues tomorrow with a campus tour by returning student Ashley Hughes, information about course registration, and a Health Check before an early start to the weekend.

<--Day 1: Welcome!     Day 3: Registration and Health Check-->