Visit by Kumamoto National College of Technology, Japan (Day 2)

The day where all the participants looked forward to had arrived. It was the second day of the KNCT exchange program, 9 November 2012, where we brought the Japanese students around Singapore for a city tour. We were all very excited to meet up again with each other after the memorable and enjoyable activities that we had with the Japanese students on the first day of the event.

We began the trip by travelling to Sentosa for sight- seeing at the Palawan beach. The Japanese students were very enthusiastic when we mentioned that we would bring them to see the iconic feature of Singapore - the “Merlion” for photo-taking and to shop for some souvenirs. Other groups went to the underwater world and dolphin lagoon to look at the range of the marine life there!

We then proceeded on to let the Japanese students try a variety of local cuisines which included Hainanese chicken rice, Rojak, Kueh tutu, Muah Chee. They loved Muah Chee and enjoyed the foods that were presented to them. Also, they felt refreshed when they tried our tropical fruits and coconut juices.

As with the exchange programmes of previous yeras,  we brought the Japanese students to the different ethnic neighbourhoods found in Singapore for different cultural experience such as Chinatown, Little India as well as Kampong Glam. Also, we brought them to one of the largest street shopping areas in Singapore – the Bugis Street.

After an enjoyable day, we exchanged gifts with them at Bayview hotel. We presented them with our own handmade photo frame attached with the group photo that was taken at the Koi Pond on the first day of the event.

Time passed very quickly and we really treasured the times we were together.

On the last day of their visit, we sent them off at the airport and bade farewell. Many of us are looking forward to the upcoming KNCT exchange program in Japan in March 2013.

Written by Lim Li Qian

Visit by Kumamoto National College of Technology, Japan (Day 1)

On 8^th October 2012, Japanese students from the Kumamoto National College of Technology came over to Temasek Polytechnic for an exchange program. They were hosted by our students from the Diploma in Financial Business Informatics, and also students from the Diploma in Mobile and Network Services. The day started with us anticipating for their arrival in the lecture theatre. We even shifted our seating arrangement such that the Japanese students could sit in between our own students and interact with them!

After the students have settled down, the event started with the Japanese students introducing themselves to us.

After the introduction, the Japanese students began their sharing:

The first student told us about the significance of Japanese Origami. She showed us the different origami models that they have made and brought here. There was even a mini paper crane that was only 0.5 mm wide!

We were very pleased when the Japanese students passed the origami papers to our local students and even taught us to fold paper shurikens! J

Next up, the students taught us more about baseball, which was a sport the males often play in school! They even had the baseball, bats and gloves to give us a demonstration of the sport!

Finally, the students came together and performed 2 songs for us, with their very own guitarist and pianist!

In exchange, our local students also presented a musical performance to them!

Thereafter, we split all the students into groups, with a fair mix of both our local and the Japanese students in every group. The groups then headed off to their respective stations as we began our games and bonding sessions. There were smiles and laughter both seen and heard throughout the games, as they played Wacko, Charades, Chapteh, Dog and Bone, and Untangle!

Wacko station with a huge toy hammer:

Untangle station:

Chapteh:

After the games, we brought the Japanese students on a campus tour around the polytechnic, visiting our Thomsom Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre, IT Service Management Centre and Library.

 

TP-Thomson Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre:

TP-ITSM IT Service Management Centre:

We finally ended our campus tour with a group photo at the Koi Pond!

Many photos were taken here as we knew that they would be leaving TP really soon.


The students then returned to the Lecture Theatre to cool and settle down. The ice between the local and Japanese students had thoroughly melted as they chatted happily, recalling the funny moments during the games sessions! We could see that everyone enjoyed themselves.

The day finally ended as the Japanese students bade farewell and left TP, while our students waved goodbye as they watched them board their buses.


It was definitely a really fun and enriching day as there were many things that were shared by the Japanese students, especially their tea culture and origami. Of course, we knew that this was not the end yet, as our local students went home to rest and recharge. They had to be fully energized for an even longer day – KNCT Day 2: The exciting City tour.



Written by Ong Yan Kai