Introduction of International Exchange Center	  	 Guide	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	 No.３５March 2013 Issue

Published by Saitam a Tourism and International Relations Bureau (STIB)International Exchange Center (IEC)

Come visit Puratto Salon!

The Puratto Salon is located at the Saitama
City International Exchange Center (IEC)on the 9th floor of Comunale (above Parco) in
front of the East Exit of JR Urawa Station.
Come visit and get involved in international
exchange activities. See below for details!

The Puratto Salon is the site of various parties, events, exhibitions andexchange activities. You are always welcome there, so please drop by!
【The Puratto Salon is open on Monday through Saturday 9:00 – 21:00 】(Closed on Sundays, New Year’s & year-end holidays and May 3 & 4)

１What’s at the Puratto Salon?
１） Salon Exhibits
Salon exhibits introduce the cultures and fashions of a different country
each month. See our monthly Puratto Salon flyer for details on current andupcoming exhibits (You can find this flyer at the city hall, ward offices, andpublic libraries around Saitama City).
２） Library Corner
Here, the following resources are available for anyone to read (and for STIB members toborrow):・Books for studying Japanese・Books introducing Japanese culture
・Guides for foreign residents on child care, education and other daily lifetopics
・Travel Guides
・Bi-lingual dictionaries
３） Flyer Rack
Here you can find “Purara” and “HELP” life information guides for foreign residents,
event flyers, and information on Japanese language courses offered in Saitama City.
４） Information Exchange Board	 
Here community members can post information related to international
exchange(Note: Political, commercial, and/or religious content cannot be postedhere).
５） Basic Consultation Service for Foreign Residents
What to do in this or that situation? Whatever question or problem you may have, large
or small, please feel free to drop by. Our volunteer staff are here to help you.
(Monday through Thursday 9:00 – 18:00)(When volunteers are not available, please talk to our office staff)

６） Multi-language consultation service.
Receive consultation in your native language.

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Programs at the Puratto Salon

１） Nihongo no Heya Japanese Courses (FREE!)
Scheduled on every Friday (except the 5th Friday of the month)
Courses help foreign residents become proficient in basic Japanese.
① Regular Course with Child care (10:00-12:00)
You can bring your children to this course, which is available at the Omiya Ward Office,too. Ask staff for details.
② Evening Course (18:00-20:00) You may join after work.
③ Children course (18:00-20:00)
This course also provides assistance with school work (K – junior high).
○	 Spring Course

April 2nd and 3rd, 2013, 14:00-15:00

This special children’s
spring-break homework.

coursehelpschildrenwiththeir

There will also be a summer course in 2013 (date to be announced).
２） Conversation Salons (FREE! / Japanese salon:¥100)
Have fun conversing in one of six different languages: Chinese,English, Spanish, Korean, Russian or Japanese (at the Japanese Conversation Salon,
you can experience traditional Japanese culture). No reservations required. Come join
the conversation, and bring a friend!
Dates and times of the salons vary from month to month (see the Puratto Salon Scheduleor homepage (http://www.stib.jp/kokusai/) for details).
３）	 Mini-Seminars (FREE!)
These monthly seminars promote intercultural understanding usually through focusing
in depth on a different country each month. Mini-seminars are not just one-way lectures,but rather provide opportunities for discussion and exchange with lecturers. See thePuratto Salon Schedule or homepage (http://www.stib.jp/kokusai/) for details on upcoming
mini-seminars.

４） Puratto Asobou.g (¥100)
Scheduled every 2nd Saturday of the month 10:00-12:00AM
A gathering for foreign parents and their children with fun games
and opportunities to discuss child raising issues with volunteer
staff and other parents.
５）	  Puratto Asobou.g “WAI WAI Salon” (FREE!)
Scheduled every Tuesday except 1st Tuesday of the month (From April 2013) 10:00-12:00
A gathering mainly for foreign parents to chat about child raising and life in Japan ingeneral as well as network in their native language.

This pamphlet provides just a small taste ofwhat’s in store for you here at the Puratto
Salon. So stop by and check us out! Your
always welcome!

Volunteers Wanted  ○	 “WAI WAI Salon” Volunteer Staff
We are seeking foreign volunteers staff to talk with and support visitors to the WAI
WAI Salon in their native language. Want to share your experiences and advice aboutliving in Japan with others like you? If so, come join us!
○	 Language Teachers
Interested in teaching others the language and cultural characteristics of your homecountry? Sign up to be a volunteer language teacher!
Inquiry：

Saitam a Tourism and International Relations Bureau (STIB)International Exchange Center Tonom ura
TEL: 048-813-8500 FAX: 048-887-105
E-M ail : iec@stib.jp

The Saitama Tourism and International Relations Bureau (STIB) International Exchange Center
Place: 9th Floor of the COMUNALE Complex (above Parco), Higashi Takasago 11-1 Urawa-ku
Saitama City
TEL：048-813-8500
ＦＡＸ:048-887-1505
E-mail : iec@stib.jp
URL : http://www.stib.jp/kokusai