The School of Political Science and Economics conducted the Spring Short-term Study Program in Western Sydney University from February 5 to February 26, 2024, with 18 students participating.
Western Sydney University is a large public university with a total of 11 campuses, and its main campus is located in northwest Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
In this three-week program at the Campbelltown campus, students attend special lectures by Western Sydney University teachers and discuss various topics in English.
First, the students listened to the professor’s lecture about the global situation surrounding Australia, Japan, and ASEAN countries, the political cooperation and historical background, and the economic ties between Australia and Japan. Then, they organized their thoughts, shared them with classmates and had discussions. The students were required to speak up spontaneously and work in a group to have discussions and create plays based on the lecture content learned. This fresh class style gave them an opportunity to think deeply about their opinions and the content of the class.
For the study tour, the students visited spots related to Australian legends and historical backgrounds that were featured in the lecture. At Three Sisters, a famous scenic spot in the Blue Mountains, they were able to take in the scenery against the legends they learned about in the lecture, and felt the magnificence of nature. At The Rocks, students learned about the history while walking around the parts of the city which still has an old streetscape and reproduced buildings.
The students had a lot of opportunities to interact with local student volunteers, receiving support for their classes, spending days off together, and so on. They shared a great time. The students who participated in the program commented as follows: “I was not confident in my English ability, but using English in many occasions through this program has increased my confidence.” “The local students and teachers were all kind, and this program has given me memories and experiences that I will never forget,” and “I think this program is perfect for those who hesitate to go abroad on their own, because you are going with several Meiji students. If you are wondering whether you should join the program or not, do it by all means.”
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