For four days students from the Department of Global Studies (DGS) at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) engaged in hands-on learning as part of a Community Engagement Project (CEP) in Sakai City, immersing themselves in activities that directly addressed the city’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From January 30 to February 2, sixteen DGS students representing eleven different countries, participated in the initiative, led by Associate Professor Angus McGregor and organized by Atsuo Itsuji, Director of Wellness Inbound Association. The project provided students with an opportunity to learn how Sakai City collaborates with various stakeholders to create a livable and sustainable community in alignment with the United Nations SDGs.

Preparations for this project began in the spring term through the Community Engagement Workshop class, where students studied Sakai City's history, SDGs platform, and the challenges faced by new immigrants. In the fall term, students conducted interviews with key stakeholders involved in areas such as education, human rights, employment, and disaster preparedness, which helped lay the groundwork for their field activities.

During their time in Sakai City, students participated in a series of workshops led by city officials on the SDGs platform and disaster preparedness initiatives. A visit to the city’s disaster preparedness center provided a deeper understanding of Sakai’s efforts to mitigate risks from natural disasters. Students learned about infrastructure designed to protect the city from floods, fire drills, and emergency response strategies. A Japanese student reflected on her experience using the earthquake simulator, saying, "It was especially scary since we are all aware that a big earthquake has been forecast for Japan for the coming decades. The simulation felt very real and left me feeling uneasy.”

Another major component of the project involved cultural exchange with Sakai City's Brazilian and Filipino communities. At Projecto Construir Artel (PCA), a non-profit organization supporting the Brazilian community, students helped prepare meals for the Kodomo Shokudo, a program providing food to local children and adults from the Brazilian expatriate community. They also led Japanese and English games for younger participants.

With the Filipino community, students conducted interviews with three mothers who shared their experiences as international residents navigating issues related to employment, education, and social engagement. This provided students with valuable insights into the daily lives of Sakai City’s diverse population.

On the final day of the CEP, students attended a cultural exchange party organized by the Sakai City Philippine Exchange Association. The event featured presentations on Filipino culture, traditional dances, and a Boodle Fight banquet—a communal meal where food was arranged artfully on banana leaves spread across long tables. Guests stood around the tables filled with chicken, sausage, grilled pork, fish, shrimp, vegetables, rice, and noodles, sharing stories, laughter, and cross-cultural learning.

Many students expressed that the experience was both eye-opening and transformative. A student from the United States remarked, “This CEP provided me with an invaluable experience, which is different from my normal KUFS campus life.” Similarly, a Chinese student shared, "This project helped us learn from the real-life experiences of local residents and understand how Sakai City is working to create a community that welcomes everyone."

The Community Engagement Project in Sakai City exemplifies DGS’s commitment to fostering global citizenship through experiential learning. By engaging with local communities and sustainability initiatives, KUFS students deepened their understanding of the complexities of sustainable development and cross-cultural collaboration—valuable lessons they will carry forward in their academic and professional journeys.