RENGANEWSLETTER ofIntroducing Our Model,

Alexandra
Wolf

INSIDEKUFSA Yamaguchi
Bus Trip
KUFSA Soccer Tournament
How to enjoy onsen
AND MORE

VOLUME 2December 2014

Photo: Wasu Mekratanaworakul

A WONDERFUL bus TRIP TO YAMAGUCHI
Ahmed Amir Ismail, Iraq

On August 3rd, we went to Yamaguchi for a KUFSA trip. Yamaguchi trip
was really interesting for three reasons:first learning more about the geography ofJapan (Akiyoshido cave), second learning
more about the Japanese history (Akama shrine), and third make a new kindfriends from the whole world as usual in
any trip. I didn’t know that there is such alarge cave in Japan which was impressive
and delightful, the flowing groundwater,
the cold breezes that come from inside thecave, and the lights which were reflectedon the limestone, everything about thiscave was amazing. It was also a good idea
to visit Akama shrine which is consid-

1ered one of the most important historical and cultural landmarks of Yamaguchi
prefecture, which was founded, as I had
read, in 1191. I think that studying theculture, the history, and the language ofany country is not enough to understandthe people of that country, the geography
and terrain of the country is also important to enhance our knowledge about thecountry. It was really a successful trip
which already combined the geographyof Japan and the history of Japan; everything was perfectly organized, thank you
so much for all to the members of KUFSA for the kind efforts and keep going up.

How to Enjoy Onsen in Japan
Kato shuichi, JAPANIt is getting colder and colder day by day. Winter is around the corner. It`s the best season to enjoy Onsen!! Onsen is one of the “must” have experiences in Japan. Onsen is the most popular way for Japanese
to relax. You can find one almost anywhere in Japan! There isn’t is a better place to forget your hectic
daily life, relax, and have a rest for your body and mind. Here are some rules, manners and advice on
how to enjoy onsen.
1. First of all, you completely undress in the dressing room. You must be naked when you enter an onsen. You can bring a small towel with you into the bathing area which can be used to wash your bodyand to hide your private area (if you want) outside the water. You don’t need to cover your parts. It isalso recommended to take off your accessories and watches.
2. Once in the bathing area, you should rinse off and wash your body before getting into the tub. Thisis important to keep the bath water clean for other people. The water is around 40°C. Also, don’t diveor jump into the tub.
3. Feel free to say hello to other people. Japanese may be shy and not good at speaking English, but yourgreeting will break the ice and start some small talk in a friendly atmosphere.
4. Don’t put your towel into the water. Put it on your head, the edge of the tub or a rock near you. As
mentioned before, you do not need to hide your parts, but if you want to, you need to do it with yourhands or by crossing your legs.
5. Don’t put soap in the water. Also, don’t swim – the baths are for relaxing.
6. Wipe your body with your towel before returning the dressing room.
Remember the basics: 1) Get naked, 2) Rinse off, and 3) Soak and relax.
Then you are a great onsen bather!

2celebrating christmas in polandBoże Narodzenie (literally ‘God’s Birth’) in Poland
Polish customs, especially at
Christmas time, are both beautiful and meaningful. On Christmas Eve (in polish, Wigilia), thewhole family sit at the dinnertable with Christmas decorations and straw under a snowwhite tablecloth. After supper,
they pull out blades of straw topredict the future. A green one
foretells marriage; a withered
one signifies waiting; a yellow
one predicts spinsterhood; anda very short one foreshadows anearly grave.
Poles are famous for theirhospitality. As a remembranceof Mary and Joseph looking for
shelter, an additional seat is
kept for a stranger at the supper table. Before eating, there isthe ‘breaking of the wafer’ ceremony to wish one another a long
life, joy, good health and happiness. A traditional supper in
Poland includes fried carp, delicious beetroot soup and - fordesert – noodles (or wheat) withpoppy seed, walnuts, dried fruits
and honey.

COVERPAGE MODEL

Alexandra Wolf
Nationality: Polish
Years of Study : Doctoral 1st Year
Major		: Food Science and Technology

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After the supper, family members sing koledy (Christmascarols and pastorals). Then, allgather in church to take part ina special Christmas Mass, also
known as Pasterka.
Christmas time in Poland isMAGIC, LOVE and HAPPINESS inthe purest form!

Facts about KUFSAKUFSA stands for Kyushu University Foreign Students Association
This organization has been serving international students in Kyudai for over 40 years.
There are around 20 KUFSA officers each year organizing events and activities for more than
2,000 international students in Kyushu University. The number of annual events held by KUFSA
is around 12, which means that sometimes, there will be more than one event in the samemonth (usually, no event during vacation). That makes KUFSA one of the busiest associations inthe University.
Of course, everything is completely organized for US and by US, international students.
Any international student can join KUFSA events. The easiest way to do so is to subscribe toKUFSA mailing list and follow our Facebook page to get information about the events right toyour inbox.
Last but not least, anyone can become a KUFSA officer. We recruit new officers for every academic year. Currently, the recruitment for next year’s officers is going on. Please apply and help
promote exciting international students’ life in Kyudai.

4The chill of the weather welcomed the day, but that notwithstanding, the day will go on.
The arena was the Kyushu University sports ground and they all streamed in from nearand yonder; different races, different countries, ages, faculties, schools but today, unitedin purpose The day is the 11th of October and the event: KUFSA 2014 annual soccer
tournament
A total 10 teams converged and with the fullness of numbers, the sun equally emerged
to guide the day. The clock ticked 9 O’clock and the assembled teams had a word of encouragement from the officials. All took a bow of honour and the day began. As the minutes grew old, so did the goals come in numbers and styles. Disappointment and cheers
defined the air, passion grew as teammates and the bench shouted what to and not todo. But the hugs and the hi-fives from all corners stole the show and hitherto strangers
became friends –such joy.
The wear of the day, the hunger that insisted and the arrival of noon signaled the end
the first session. As all gathered in the various spaces of the resting ground, laughter camefrom all corners even as the goal scorers were congratulated and appreciated by both thelosers and winners.
The second session of the day was equally entertaining with the variety of results
leading to the final duel of the African lions against the benchwarmers as most people
near-predicted. With a one-nil score line the African team carried the day in the final
minutes to retain their trophy.

KUFSA soccer tournament 2014
5Omondi A. Brian, Kenya

Information from the International
Student and Researcher Support Center外国人留学生・研究者サポートセンターからのお知らせ
伊都キャンパス学生寄宿舎リーダーの募集
Recruitment for Supporter Students for Dormitories
ドミトリーのサポートに協力できる学生を募集しています。
寮運営を大学といっしょにマネジメントしたい学生の皆さんの応募を待っています。
希望者は、募集要項をよく読み申請してください。
Students who are key persons of the community in dormitories are needed.
At this time, we recruit Leaders for the dormitories who take care of the residents.
See the details on the website.
◆募集要項/申請書類 How to apply/Application Form
サポートセンターホームページをご確認ください。
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/supportcenter/
Please visit our website as follows.
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/supportcenter/en/◆申請期間 Application period
平成２６年１１月２８日（金）～１２月１８日（木）午後５時必着
Friday, November 28 ~ Thursday, December 18, 2014

新入留学生サポートチームを募集します！
Recruitment for the International Student Support Team!
２０１５年４月に入学する留学生のサポートチームを大募集！！留学生サポートチームは、九州大学に新たに入学する留学生の皆さんが、スムーズに福岡での生活をスタートできるように、九州大学の日本人学生や留学生により、学部・学府ごとに編成されたチームです。
We are now looking for the support team to help and assist new international students coming from
April, 2015. Every school/graduate school has an international student support team which consists ofKyushu University Japanese students and international students who have already stayed in Fukuoka,and they assist new international students to start their new life in Fukuoka smoothly.
留学生の皆さんからの応募をお待ちしています！詳しくはサポートセンターウェブサイトをチェック！！
We hope you all apply and join us! Please check more information at Support Center Website!!

Please check more information at Support Center Website!!

http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/supportcenter/

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DOWNTOwN WALK
Dear Renga readers, today I would
like to introduce my favorite kind of noodle which is called “Nikuniku Udon”. This
type of Udon is said to have originated inKokura in Kitakyushu-city.
This Udon is totally different fromother udon. There are some reasons.
First of all, as you can see, soup color isdark brown (usually it is golden brown)
but it tastes not so bitter and has tonsof flavor. Second of all, it served withthin cut pork which has rich taste. Third,
Ginger power!! Ginger in the noodle Price: 650yen~
makes the entire taste of udon sharp. Place: Fukuoka-city, Chuo-ku, Haruyoshi, 3-12-36(Near Across Fukuoka)
You can add the ginger to your liking
Openingtime:(100%~300%). My suggestion is 3 times
Weekday:		
11:30am~04:00am
amount of ginger. Last of all, you can get
Weekend, Celebration day: 11:30am~20:00pm
refill noodle (Kaedama) at 100 yen only
Holiday: 		
not fixedfor each refill.
Ramen is sometimes too oily for Phone Number: 092-725-2914
us but Nikuniku udon is not. It is perfectfor those of you who want to taste theoriental taste of Japan. So you can eat
anytime even after Nomikai! ENJOY!
Kato Shuichi, Japan

Restaurant Information

We hope you can be part of a fruitful year for KUFSAWith You Always, KUFSA. Please feel free to contact us at
KUFSAinfo@gmail.com
http://www.isc.kyushu-u.ac.jp/kufsa/
http://www.facebook.com/KUFSAKUFSA RENGA Editorial Committee

Wasu Mekratanaworakul, Jecinta Kamau, Kato Shuichi,
Bodhinanda Chandra - Design and Illustration

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UPCOMING
EVENTS!