2026/7/1

On Wednesday, June 30, final presentations for the ieiMedia Kyoto Project were held by visiting students from the Institute for Education in International Media (ieiMedia), an American media education institution.

For this groundbreaking project, ten journalism students from seven different universities across the United States spent about one month at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) and, with assistance from student volunteer interpreters registered in the KUFS LinguaLink translation and interpretation human resources database, engaged in real-life interviews and information gathering on topics related to Kyoto culture, social issues and more.

During the final presentations, project participants reported on the results of their investigative efforts. Presentation themes varied widely, covering topics such as overtourism problems, challenges faced by farming villages in northern Kyoto, the efforts of young artisans carrying on traditional crafting traditions, exchanges and dialogue with local residents related to the Kyoto City University of Arts' relocation, and environmental preservation activities related to Lake Biwa endemic species and crucian carp sushi. During Q&A sessions following the presentations, KUFS students asked a number of questions while also discussing the practical challenges of interpretation duties and future challenges.

At the farewell party held after the presentations, ieiMedia Kyoto Project Director Rachele Kanigel praised the growth exhibited by both Japanese and American students through the project and expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the teachers and students of KUFS. Said Ms. Kanigel, "The true value of this project is not only in the education it provides to future journalists; it is also in the new connections and bonds between people that transcend the bounds of classroom learning and interviews."

KUFS President Toshiro Kita also delivered an address in English. Reflecting back on time spent himself in San Francisco, he stated, "This program perfectly embodies the philosophy of our university, which is to position language as a bridge between people." Mr. Kita went on to congratulate all of the international students present, and also expressed his thanks for the project's teaching of KUFS students skills which cannot be learned in any textbook, such as "good listening skills" and "effective questioning"—all cultivated through real-life dialogue and interactions.

Professor Akiko Sato of the Department of British and American Studies, Department of French Studies, who served as leader for the interpreters, praised the hard work of the 30 student volunteers who accompanied project members to Kyoto City Hall, a tearoom, a sake brewery, a rural village and other locations, while also delivering words of thanks to the American students who patiently and kindly worked with the volunteer interpreters. She concluded by leading everyone present in a toast.

During the event, commendation certificates personally signed by Ms. Kanigel were presented to the student volunteer interpreters in recognition of their dedicated work, and commendation certificates signed by Mr. Kita were given to the American students for their devoted endeavors as journalists.

The rewarding, month-long program transcended national borders and helped all involved forge close bonds. It left everyone deeply impressed and gave them hope for future incarnations of the project.


【Related Links】
Exploring Tourism-related Issues through the "Overtourism in Japan: Lessons Learned in Kyoto" Panel Discussion
LinguaLink Student Interpreters Assist ieiMedia in Q&A Session with Kyoto City International Policy Director

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