Events
Japanese Immersion Programme
25 new students will settle in to the IPU New Zealand campus on March 2nd to take part in the 2015 Japanese Immersion Programme. Established in 2014, the month-long programme aims to accustom new students enrolled in the DJAST and BCIS programmes to university life, gives them a headstart on their Japanese language learning, and offers team-building opportunities to foster peer friendships and leadership skills.
The free programme has proved immensely popular, with a 200% increase in registrations from its first year. Staying on-campus in IPU New Zealand's halls of residence, and catered for in the dining hall, participants attend morning Japanese language and culture classes, which are offered at complete beginner level, through to intermediate level, for those students who have studied Japanese throughout secondary school. The afternoons see students involved in Japanese cooking classes, cultural and sports activities, and field trips to local businesses and attractions, upon completion of which they produce presentations for their peers.
Highlights of this year's programme include a daytrip to Wellington, a campus-wide baseball tournament, and interaction with visiting Japanese high school students in the final week of the programme. The month finishes up with a three-day team-building camp near Otaki, where students' trust in each other will be put to the test in high adrenaline activities such as high ropes, white water rafting, abseiling, and rock climbing.
Going into semester one two weeks later on April 13th, these students will be all set to tackle the challenging year ahead and get the most out of their studies and their new friendships.
For more information on the 2015 Japanese Immersion Programme contact Heather Drinnan at hdrinnan@ipc.ac.nz
