Issued in September 2006

Welcome to IUJ and UMEX

UMEX holds about 120 members and is supported by students, housewives, local government officials, businessmen and self-employed workers; and encompasses members from the early 20s to 70s of age. Thiswide diversity underpins various activities undertaken by UMEX, allowinginternational students to attain well-balanced understanding of theJapanese culture and society

Upcoming Events
Sept 17

Welcome BBQ Party

Sept 22

Friday Luncheon Gathering

Sept 23

Kids’ Salon

UMEX events will be announced bybulletin board or e-mail periodically.
Please don’t miss it.

UMEX provides the following
programs.
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.

Helping with your questions on
every day life
Offering the Japanese/English
Language Program
Arranging the Home-stay/Home-visit Programs
Offering Japanese Cultureclasses such as Tea Ceremonyclass, Flower Arrangementclass, Calligraphy
Explaining how holidays arecelebrating in Japan, forexample New Year.
Serve as a source of
information of upcoming
activities in the neighborhood.
Having Country Presentation
Series by IUJ students, and soon.

What is UMEX?
UONUMA Association for Multicultural Exchange (called UMEX) was set up in May
2002 by the local people and IUJ staff to foster multicultural interaction, support foreign
residents and enhance Japanese people’s
awareness of foreign cultures. Furthermore,
UMEX through its various activities in association with the local people helps IUJ students
experience “Japan” and thus enrich theirknowledge about Japanese people, their culture and social life.
Though IUJ is located in Japan as lots of students say they cannot “feel” real Japan here.
It is the result of huge cultural diversity ofcoming students and the fact that common
language of IUJ is English. Before UMEX wasestablished lots of students left IUJ without
experiencing what is the tea ceremony, ikebana or kimono.

Friday Luncheon gathering is held
once a month at UMEX salon

The UMEX salon is a place where everyone
could meet and talk on a continuous andregular basis to foster interactions. It is an
excellent gateway for IUJ students and theirfamilies to get to know local people andcommunity.

UMEX salon in SD 3

Conversations held at the UMEX salon areoften reflected to a variety of activities, including a bus trip, rice harvesting tour,
mountain climbing, wild vegetable cooking
as well as presentation by international students or Japanese students of their traditional culture, lessons for Kado (flower arrangement), Sado (tea ceremony) or calligraphy, and assisting the hosting of the Japanese Night held by Japanese students

Members gather twice a week in the UMEX
salon located at the IUJ Student Dormitory
No. 3, first floor. The salon is open every
Tuesday and Friday, from 13:00 - 15:00 and19:00-20:30 respectively.

How to obtain information on
UMEX programs/events:

UMEX in short acts as a cultural bridge between the international students of IUJ andthe local community of UONUMA.
For further information, access the reportsection in UMEX homepage at
http: http://www.umex.ne.jp/E/★ Look at UMEX info on the bulletin board★ Drop by the UMEX salon★ See UMEX homepage at
http://www.umex.ne.jp/E/

Country Presentation

UMEX Programs will be decided at the meetingof the working committee to be held at thebeginning of every month. Please let us know if
you have any suggestions and requests

Page 2Introducing UMEX activitiesHow to join us? Just step in the UMEX salon!

Hello! I’m Kubota and in chargeof UMEX events. Co
me and seeme at the salon ofthe evening.
Based on your requests, I’ll plan

Introduced Indonesian Dance“Poco-Poco” to Japanese People
Adila Chaerman (Indonesia, IDP)
We are the Indonesian student in IUJ collaboration
with UMEX member was practicing "Poco-poco
dance" to participate for "Natsu Matsuri" who areorganized by Moegi Group in Muikamichi on August
19 from 06.30 PM to 08.45 PM. The Poco-poco is a
popular line dance which originally comes from theMinahasa people in Sulawesi. The steps are said tooriginate from farming activities such as picking
cloves, planting rice, hoeing the fields and peelingcoconut fiber. It is a popular dance for celebrations
such as weddings, birthdays and Independence Day
in Indonesia.
We were amazing that almost Japanese can dancevery well even only 2 times or short times for practicing. The night became more exciting as a group ofpeople did poco-poco dance to follow the poco-pocosongs played from a tape. And also while we gaveperformance Poco-poco dance during the "Matsuri"
many Japanese communities joint and enjoy together and very exciting!
Warm regards from the heart of the city, in general,we were very pleased to be invited to attend thefestival. It was fun to get to know each other, especially the IUJ students with Japanese community
especially for UMEX organization. We would like tothank UMEX organization for giving us a chance toobtain good relation, and best 'world-oriented'friendship while we stayed there.
THANK YOU FOR UMEX!

My Heartfelt Gratitude towards UMEXThin Thin Myint (Myanmar, IDP Class of 2006)
I have only one week left in IUJ and I am nearly about to return to Myanmar.
Before going back to our country, a special note of gratitude is owed to UMEX’smembers, especially Bandai San, Moriyama San, Kubota San, Ritsuko Abe
San, Michiko San, Watanabe San and other UMEX members who gave me
constructive supports when I was staying in IUJ. As for me, UMEX forever
remains in my memory.
To tell the truth, we've got a lot of opportunities and experiences from theUMEX. Among the Japanese local people and IUJ staff, we could retain amutual understanding, strengthen an intimate and boundless relationship andpreserve a constructive communication through sharing and exchanging
knowledge and ideas. UMEX gave relentless backings to IUJ students who are
not familiar with the Japanese environment and Japanese culture.
Among the recipe of UMEX activities, some visible activities UMEX
enthusiastically initiated and participated are: providing Japanese language
programs to IUJ students, collection of fund (donation for Indonesia
Earthquake), hiking to Mt. Sakado, interesting trip to Kawagoe, flower
arrangement, tea ceremony, barbecue party, food gathering party, joyful Picnic
at Atema Highland Resort etc. UMEX arranged amazing social gatherings forinternational students, Kids Event which is mainly planned for kids to introduce
Japanese, traditional custom - carp streamer, hiking trip and so on. During mytwo-year stay in Japan, I would say that the best way to know the country is byknowing its people. Life as a graduate student is not all study and academics.
At last, I would like to recommend you to join UMEX activities which would give
you a better understanding of the Japanese people and of Japan.

Japanese Language Program

Kids & Baby Salon
The kids salon will be held once amonth at the UMEX salon, and thebaby salon will be held every Tuesday
at Tatami-room in MSA if it needs.
Mothers, children and babies get together and have fun. Please come andjoin us with your kids.
For more details, contact:
Ms. Kazuko Takahashi(yokunkokun@nyc.odn.ne.jp).

The UMEX offers two Japanese programs:
one is a classroom style and the other is aone-on-one conversation partner program.
The purpose of our programs is to ease communication difficulties of non-Japanese residents by teaching Japanese and also to help
make their life here easier and much more
comfortable. The services are free of charge.
It goes without saying that the Japanese language is already part of the IUJ official curriculum, but those who are weak in English or
those who cannot find an appropriate level ofa class might not be able to take it as part ofthe official curriculum. UMEX serves as aplaza for those students as well as their families and other foreigners living in the community to learn Japanese.

How to Register:
Application will be ready at the beginning ofOctober. For more details, contactMs. Akiko Sekiya, Ms. Kyoko Ode and Mr. Masashi Watanabe

Page 3

UMEX acts as a cultural bridge between the international students of IUJ and the local community of UONUMA
Issued in September 2006

Dear UMEX members:
I am very happy to have Sekiya-sanvisit me in my hometown ofBARCELONA. It 6month zings backall the wonderful memories of beingat IUJ for one Semester. I hope all ofyou have the opportunity to comevisit me in Barcelona so that I cantake you to eat PAELLA by thebeach.
I MISS YOU ALL.
Alvaro Ortega (Exchange Studentfrom Barcelona in 2002)

Jami Wu, IM 2003
To UMEX members, thank you all for the wonderful experience in IUJ and wish you all
happy new year. Thanks to all of you, I got
married to our alumni, Ripple, on Jan 4th.
Show you the pictures after I receive them!
Mihai Isacovici, IDP 2005
UMEX is an important member of IUJ family.
Let’s keep and develop this portal of communication between campus and Japanese community in the New Year. Good luck and counton our support!

Greetings from Alumni
Relationships between IUJ students andUMEX continue even after the graduation.
UONUMA will be your second hometown.

Zhengyu REN, IM 2005
Wish everyone a happy new year and makemore new friends this year. Memories of UMEX
activities are really treasures in my life. Thanks
for everyone’s hard work and devotion.

Bus trip for introduction ofJapanese culture

Ash Sharma, IM 2005
Happy and prosperous New Year to everyone
associated with UMEX. As this party demonstrates IUJ is just the beginning of a life-longbond between people from all around the world
and a commitment to international understanding. All the best in 2006!
Country Introduction by students

Saikeung Tang, IM 2003
Happy new year! I have been working in Tokyo
for more than 2 years and still missed theweekly UMEX meetings in IUJ from time to time.
So, I think for students in IUJ shall make thebest use of it and you will have a great memory,

Participated in Naked Man Festival
Hung Nguyen
I want to thank Banzai san for inviting me toher house. I had a wonderful time with Banzai
san and her friends. We ate a very nice dinerat her home. I think Banzai san and her mom
are very good cook. It has been a long time forme to have a nice Japanese food like that. We
ate, drank, and talked till around 9:00p.m
then we went to naked man festival.
It was very cold outside at that time, however,I saw a very spiritual atmosphere from festival
participator. Even though, the temperature
seemed like below zero degree, naked man
were shouting and running around the place.
To me, they were very exciting and a little bit
crazy. I really enjoyed the festival.
We stayed there until the festival was almostover. We took many pictures and went backhome around 10:30 p.m. I really want tothank again to UMEX and Banzai san to giveme the best chance to enjoy the Naked Manfestival.

Charity concert for earthquake victims

Ｓａｎｓａｉ Garden Ｐａｒｔｙ
Thea Sophy
When all the snow melt down, green plants
and flower buds sprout up saying goodbye tothe sober autumn and welcoming the charming spring. At the beginning, a short beauty ofSAKURA brings a lot of enjoyment to a peaceful life at IUJ campus. Then, next is the tasteof spring.
No wonder, taste of spring comes from avariety of SANSAI (wild vegetable) that we canfind easily on IUJ campus ground and in thenearby mountains. It was an initiative ofUMEX to arrange the garden party on May 15
at the barbeque site for students to enjoy thesweetness of SANSAI UMEX members andother local Japanese people show us how tocook SANSAI. Of course, we can boil SANSAI
or make tempura. It was interesting that wecan pick up the vegetable from the mountainand make delicious food from it. We ate SANSAI tempura with cold soba and soy sauce. I
could not tell how tasty it was, but wheneverSansai Garden Party

I think of SANSAI, I really want to eat
it again and again. I really appreciate
the UMEX’s effort in organizing sucha wonderful event where students
can get together and get to know theflourish natural advantage of thisarea.
If you are first year students, please
don’t miss the chance to try it nextyear!

Though IUJ is located in Japan, you cannot “feel” real Japan here withouta bit your effort. Join us to approach to real Japan.

Enjoy Cultural Exchange through Homestay Program
Yoshiko Takahashi
I’m living in Yuzawa and occasionally invite IUJ students to my home as a partof my UMEX activities. In fact, my daughter studied in the United State. When I
visited her, I was touched by realizing that my daughter was supported by manypeople there. This is the motive from which I am offering the invitation ofhomestay to IUJ students.
However, it seems that I have gotten priceless returns than things I had offeredto the students. I’m learning about various countries and the cultures of thosethrough the exchange with students, which I enjoy very much. Luckily, my husband and my mother-in-law are very helpful and cooperative with my UMEX
activities.
Please take a look at a photo on the top There were three guests at my home in the middle of July; Ms. Frances of the Philippines, Ms. Khet of Myanmar and Ms. Rin from Thailand. Two out of three will graduate from IUJ and return to their countries by
the end of August. I hope that visiting my home would be one of the pleasant recollections of Japan for them. Who will visit myhome first in this autumn? I am looking forward to being able to meet as many of you as possible at UMEX events.

We need your help
To better organize events and programs ofUMEX, we need your help. If you are interested in volunteering for the following things,
please contact us or send an email atoffice@umex.ne.jp.
●

Communication supporters between
international students and local people. We need person who can speak
both in English and Japanese.

●

English writing reporters for UMEX
homepage and UMEX newsletter.

●Speaker who introduces his/her country to local people either in Japaneseor English.

●English tutors for UMEX members.

English Tutor Program

2.

UMEX has an “English Partner Program” asa counter-program to the “Japanese Language Program”. To establish reciprocal
relationship between foreign residents(mainly IUJ students) and the local people,
we need to overcome the language barrier
with a mutual effort. Both UMEX Japaneseand English language programs will be offered for this purpose.

3.

One group pays 1,000 yen per one
hour to their tutor each session.
The content of the lessons is to be
decided by students and their tutor.
Basically, the lesson is held once perweek.

For further information, please contact Ms.
Yoko Yanagase at the UMEX salon or sendan email at office@umex.ne.jp.

The program outline is as follows. We hopethat as many of you as possible will participate in this program as our partner.

Learned a lot from students

Procedures:
1. Those who wish to join this programsubmit the registration form to UMEX
office at your pleasure.
2. UMEX office accepts the application
form from UMEX members at any time.
3. UMEX office matches partners uponrequest from UMEX members and IUJ
student tutor.

English Tutor Program has been one of themost interesting and rewarding experiences
I have had during my IUJ stay. Indian philosopher Gandhi has said live as if you wereto die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live
forever. And this is what people at UMEX are
doing and enjoying I think.

Basic Conditions:
1. One group consists of a maximum of
three students (local people).

See UMEX homepage at http://www.umex.ne.jp/E/
For more details, please contact：
Mr. Moriyama, Toshiyuki at the MLIC (toshi@iuj.ac.jp)
Mr. Kubota, Toyomasa (office@umex.ne.jp)
Mr. Xu, Aidong 2nd year student (xuaidong@iuj.ac.jp)
Mr. Karki, Milan 2nd year student (milan_np@iuj.ac.jp)

Rajendra Khichi(India, IM Class of 2006)

Well, I can definitely say this about my Japanese students who in a way are actually myteachers as I learnt a lot more from them
about the Japanese culture and their life
experiences. Their zest and enthusiasm forlearning is amazing and I learn from them
how to enjoy the life. During the classes weenjoyed exchanging information about India
and Japanese local customs, traditions andways of life.
Thank you very much Oami-san, Shino-san,Iguchi-san, Akiko-san, Waka-san. I hope you
all enjoyed the classes as much as I did. My
sincere thanks to UMEX for giving me thisopportunity and I look forward to continue
this fulfilling relationship with UMEX and its
people.