Feedback at Waseda

Feedback is the vital component that completes any communication cycle. In case of this exchange programme with Waseda University we, the students of Chowgule college were entrusted an important responsibility of communicating the culture of India and learning the different aspects of Japanese society and culture.  After a two week long interaction with Waseda students, faculty and staff we received feedback in various forms and at various points in time.

Students were willing to know more about India, its society and culture, our educational system and institution (Chowgule college).  We found that places like New Delhi, Jaipur etc were quite famous among those who had previously visited India or whose relatives worked in India.

Faculty tried to make regular sessions interactive and easy to understand by comparing situations in India and Japan especially evident from lectures of Prof. Watt on Religion (Shinto, one of the major religions in Japan, other being Buddhism) and Prof. Iino on Socio-linguistics. Students and faculty in Socio-linguistics class were amazed to know that India had many languages and each of us could speak not less than 3-5 languages. Faculty welcomed our questions and opinions during and after the sessions.

 

 

Supporting staff too was very co-operative and gave necessary inputs and information before sessions and field trips like maps, excerpts on ceremonies and etiquettes etc.

With Takako san at Sensoji Temple

With Yuri san at Sensoji Temple

Everyone appreciated our performances at Indian Cultural Night on 12^th November. One of the most memorable feedbacks was from Ms. Keiko Iizuka, an English teacher and Koto (Japanese traditional Harp) player, who was literally in tears and had no words to express the joy she felt after listening to my Indian classical recital. I regard her appreciation to be an evidence to prove that music and culture irrespective of language barriers have the capability of touching one’s soul and giving immense happiness to all. Prof. Gally expressed his appreciation through small videos that he shot of the event.

Discussion on Japanese society and culture with Mr. Yamaguchi during the trip to Kamakura and interaction with Prof. Sadoshima while visiting the Shinnyo-en temple are the two experiences I would cherish for lifetime.

The post would be incomplete without mentioning the feedback I received after returning to India in form of an email from Prof. Sadoshima in which she says :

“I am also very happy to hear that your trip to Japan was a fruitful one. I very much enjoyed the songs, recitation, and the dance you performed at the Indian Cultural Night. They were beautiful and profound. Your visit to Kamakura and Shinnyo-en Temple meant a lot to me, too. Your keen eyes and rich understanding of history, culture, and language is astonishing.”

 

Note : A glimpse of Indian Cultural night can be sought at the following link through a small video shot by Prof. Gally

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8nVVZpFlOn0aUIzZFYwaURNdWM