08/04/2006

At their Lab. with Dr. Paik

Four students from Kongju National University, Korea, completed their short-term research program under the guidance of Dr. Paik (assistant professor of UoA) and left Japan on Aug.3. The students spent a good time not only on the campus but also in the community, for example joining a welcome and farewell party hosted by Shiokawa International Friendship Association, experiencing a home-stay by courtesy of SIFA. On July 30, the students enjoyed the fireworks at The River Festival in Shiokawa-town.

CSIP interviewed the students before they left Japan for Korea.

CSIP:

Please tell us about your research project at UoA.

Students:

"Our research theme is Mobile Java Programming. We worked on making a mobile game. We named it TAKO-YAKI TAI-KUN. We finally completed it."

CSIP:

Please let us hear your impression of students and learning environment at UoA.

Students:

"UoA is a beautiful university surrounded by nature. It's always clean inside and outside the building. The campus is well-maintained. Computer room is available 24-hours a day. UoA has a wonderful environment for students to study. Speaking of the students of UoA, we were surprised to see many students studying at the cafeteria at lunch time."

CSIP:

How did you like your weekend home-stay experience?

Ms. Kim and Ms. Yoo:

"Mr. and Mrs. Saito took us for a drive. We went to Ura-bandai and enjoyed cruising on a pleasure boat at Hibara lake. After that, we visited Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall in Inawashiro. At home, Mr. and Mrs. Saito showed us their pictures and told us a story of their travels."

Mr. Lee and Mr. You:

"Mr. and Mrs. Igarashi drove us to Ura-bandai and Kitakata. We had Tempura-manjyu and Zaru-soba for the first time in Kitakata."

CSIP:

Are there any interesting Japanese words or expressions you learned during your Stay?

Ms. Kim:

"Saigo (meaning "last" or "end")"

Ms. Yoo:

"Soro-soro(meaning "soon" , "gradually" or "It's about time...")"

Mr. Lee:

"Sasukene (language of Aizu) [meaning " That's O.K." or " No problem"]"

Mr. You:

"Sasukene and Hai douzo [meaning "Here you are."]"

CSIP:

What were your overall achievement and major improvement after the one-month stay?

Ms. Kim:

"I have improved speaking Japanese."

Ms. Yoo:

"Meeting and talking with people from diffe