Events at IEC

SHOWA Medical University and the International Exchange Center sponsor a variety of events to deepen friendships between international guests and Japanese students. They also provide an opportunity for our visitors to learn more about Japan and its culture.

Welcome Party

Held at the beginning of the academic year at the newly built SHOWA Medical University Kamijo Memorial Hall, this dinner party officially welcomes our newest group of training/research fellows as well as all of the exchange students and graduate students who are currently studying at SHOWA Medical University. At this event faculty sponsors introduce their fellows to SHOWA Medical University's president, Director General of the International Exchange Center, and even dignitaries from fellows' embassies. It is also an opportunity for fellows to meet each other and staff and faculty from the different schools.

Japanese Language Class

To help our international guests become accustomed to their life in Japan and to study at SHOWA Medical University, we provide basic "survival" Japanese classes at the beginning of their stay. Topics that they learn in these classes include how to introduce themselves, how to ask for directions, how to shop, and so on.

One-Day Tour of Tokyo

Every year in the summer and fall, the International Exchange Center organizes a trip through the historical, "downtown" areas of Tokyo, such as Asakusa (浅草) and Ryougoku (両国). Our international guests are paired up with SHOWA Medical University students, who escort them throughout the day to help them learn more about their host city and the people who live there.

International Exchange Party

This is an event held twice a year on the main campus to encourage interaction between our international guests, SHOWA Medical University students, and faculty. Along with sharing food and drinks, friendships can also be enhanced through presentations and games related to our international guests’ home country.

International Chat Club

The International Chat Club is an effort to enhance international exchange on campus. Students mainly gather during lunch breaks to discuss the culture and customs of their countries and to enjoy cross-cultural exchange.

Certificate Award Ceremony and Farewell Party

At the end of every academic year, SHOWA Medical University hosts a certificate award ceremony and farewell party for our "graduating" international fellows to celebrate their accomplishments and to wish them an official goodbye. At this event, the President of SHOWA Medical University presents each fellow with a certificate award commemorating his/her completion of the fellowship program. Next, during the farewell party, each fellow gives a short speech about what they did at SHOWA Medical University. Like the Welcome Party, dignitaries from the fellows' embassies also attend this important and formal event.