Online interview project in Virtual Winter Program 2021

Seven international students from the Australian National University and Universiti Sains Malaysia participated in a new online winter Japanese Language Program (JPL355 Higher intermediate Japanese online: Issues in Contemporary Japan) during AIU’s 2021 Winter Program.

During the six weeks of the program, the students engaged in a joint project on a social issue in contemporary Japan such as work-life balance with AIU students in JAS 355 (Critical Issues in Globalizing Japan) and interviewed various people residing in Japan (especially Akita) via video conferencing.

The interviewees included a guesthouse owner, a high school teacher, a restaurant owner, an international organization staff, and a person supporting the Akita Maiko, who perform traditional Japanese music and dances.

Illustrations of the people the students interviewed.

In the final presentation, the students introduced the “work”, “working style” and “work-life balance” of the interviewees and talked about what each student has learned from the project.

The following website introduces interviews conducted by students and faculty members.

https://jpljas355.wixsite.com/akitaworklife?lang=en

We would like to thank all interviewees and students who joined the program for their participation.

Through their excellent works, we hope it will give you an opportunity to think about what “work” means to you!