When strangers become friends – Viadrina students report from their summer school experience in Japan

From 1 to 10 August, two Viadrina students attended the seminar ‘World Peace and Political Justice’ in Hiroshima, Japan. The summer school is organised annually by the International Network of Universities (INU). Nadiia Birchak and Antoan Blangev look back on their exchange with enthusiasm and report on what they have experienced.

“My name is Nadiia Birchak. I am from Ukraine and I study Social and Cultural Studies at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). I have participated in this year’s International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace titled “World Peace and Political Justice” in Japan. This experience has become one of the highlights of my studies so far.

The seminar lasted nine days, and each day was filled with lectures and workshops related to peace and global justice topics. To work effectively, we were divided into several groups.

One of the activities was to simulate a United Nations meeting, where I represented Indonesia. My team consisted of eight people, with half of them being students from Hiroshima University. Our teamwork turned out remarkably well, although I had never done anything like it before. It required us to develop strategies, discuss, and find compromises between different countries. Through accepting amendments, negotiating, and finding common ground in our discussions, we experienced first-hand the challenges and rewards of striving for peace and world justice. The debates were intense, but in the end, we proved that even in our differences, we can work together to build a more just and peaceful world. We also created a peace logo, which included a lecture on the importance and the process of creating such symbols. All of the summer school participants have different ages, came from various faculties and have different level of education. However, we shared our respect, and the idea of peace and justice united us. The diversity of students, who not only represented their countries but also had multinational backgrounds, amazed me. Talking to people who speak more than three languages enriched our discussions and opened new perspectives.

The Japanese culture lesson impressed me very much; students from Hiroshima executed it. We tried writing hieroglyphs, created origami peace symbols and played national games. The purpose was to learn, discuss and share knowledge. Working together with Japanese students made the experience very memorable for me, as their culture is so different from mine. They have a different approach to learning – they respect silence and teamwork. Thanks to them, I understood the value of listening.

Besides our academic activities, we explored Japan including trips to Hiroshima, museums, Japanese islands, evening bike rides; we shopped at typical convenience stores and took walks. Hiroshima is impressive with its history and the spirit of its people. We had the opportunity to participate in Peace Memorial Day on 6 August, to visit the museum and listen to a contemporary witness. Many of the people honour those who have died during the bombings of World War II.

I am very grateful to the Viadrina and the International Network of Universities (INU) to have been able to participate in this summer school. As we prepared to say goodbye, there was a bittersweet feeling in the air. However, more than anything, there was gratitude – gratitude for the friendships we have made, the knowledge we have gained, and the memories we have created. My motivation now is to return to Japan and to learn more about its culture and people. This seminar helped me grow, comprehend more and find friends. To me, many strangers have become like family. One very important insight I gained from it is: I am part of the young generation that can make change happen, because we belong to a generation that must achieve peace.”

Text / Photos: Nadiia Birchak, Viadrina student “Social and Cultural Studies”

“My name is Antoan Blangev, I study European Studies at the Viadrina and I participated in this years' seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace. It has a deep philosophical meaning for me since I represented a German university in Japan. Once the axis Tokyo-Berlin had been one of aggression. Now this axis is byword for developed liberal democracies that are open and engaged in dialogue. Both countries serve as an example for others to follow.

The amenities and infrastructure in Japan, the openness and hospitality, and last but not least the discipline are indicators of the modern Japan that inspires and creates the foundations of a more prosperous world. Following this line of thought, we have proved during the seminar that peace is a contextual synonym for dialogue. Moreover, the representation of the Viadrina was at the core of the success in the United Nations simulation game, which makes me proud. It was an unforgettable adventure.

Hiroshima is a venue full of symbolism that made our work and efforts even more real, so we could better understand the mission of the seminar. Speaking with the last living survivor of the bombing and working towards a more sustainable tomorrow touched everyone on a personal level. One of the very few venues that did not produce any internal tensions or conflicts amongst participants. We all could bond on a human level. Thus, at the end we managed to project a unique togetherness and diplomacy, unseen in the previous editions. It was a great success for all.

If I have to pick the most memorable experience from the summer school, it is difficult to choose. However, I would probably go with the conversation with the contemporary witness, Miss Ogura, on 5 August. To me she projected the presence of God by showcasing no hatred, or vengeance, despite the tragic experience she had during the war and the atomic bombing. She saw the fragility of being and the wickedness of humankind, however, she did not become relentless and hateful, but the opposite. Her eyes, story and experience are the real purpose of life. An example for all participants.”

Text / Photos: Antoan Blangev, Viadrina student “European Studies”