Japan, the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms,” has always been an attraction for people around the world to explore, due to its unique culture, automotive industry, strong economy, progress, and more.
It is known that the country is currently hosting a quadrennial international event, namely the Summer Olympics, which will be held in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
In relation to Japan, the Japanese Language Study Program at Widyatama University recently conducted a Community Service (PKM) activity at Taruna Bakti High School in Bandung.
Dinda Ranadireksa, Ph.D., as the Executive Chair of the PKM, explained that lecturers from the Japanese Language Study Program at UTama provided various information about “Japan,” including language, culture, opportunities in Japan, job prospects for graduates of the Japanese Language Study Program, Faculty of Languages, Widyatama University, and life in Japan.
The event was held via a webinar on Saturday (24/7/2021). The activity itself was attended by around 151 participants, consisting of teachers, students from Taruna Bakti High School, and others.
When asked about the enthusiasm of the participants, Dinda revealed that the participants were very enthusiastic about participating in the activity.
“They usually ask about culture, life in Japan, and the character of Japanese people. Some also ask about arubato, which is part-time work,” said Dinda, who was the Head of the Japanese Language Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Languages, UTama for one term (2017-2021).
She further explained that arubato can be done by students in Japan, both Japanese and foreigners.
The fields are diverse, ranging from washing dishes, working as a cashier at a mini market, working at the post office, teaching languages, or becoming an interpreter/translator.
Arubato is generally paid around 850-900 yen per hour. However, those who teach are paid more, around 2500-3000 yen per hour. The maximum working hours per week are 20 hours.
“We also convey information from the speakers and quiz questions in a lighthearted manner so that they don’t get bored. They are even more enthusiastic because everyone who answers correctly is given a cash prize of Rp 100,000. An example of a question is the abbreviation for Widyatama University. The answers vary, and it also serves as promotion,” said Dinda on Monday (7/26/2021).
Dinda, who presented the material “Life in Japan,” lived in the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms” for ten years. As a result, she has a deep understanding of Japanese customs and life.
In 1998-1999, she participated in an exchange student program at Rikkyo University. Then in 2005-2006, she participated in Japanese Teacher Training at The Japan Foundation, Urawa. Then in 2006-2014, she became a research student and continued her master’s and doctoral degrees at Rikkyo University.
When asked about opportunities for UTama Japanese Language Program students to go to the “Land of Sakura,” Dinda said that the opportunities are wide open.
“Our students have the opportunity to go to Japan through scholarship programs, student exchange programs, competition programs, or through internship programs in Japan, the results of which can be converted upon arrival in their homeland,” said Dinda.
He is also very grateful that the PKM activities at Taruna Bakti High School went smoothly.
Moreover, the Taruna Bakti Foundation is very selective in accepting universities that will collaborate, including PKM.
Similar activities have also been carried out at SMAN 1 Margahayu, Bandung Regency and SMAN 16 Bandung City.
“Alhamdulillah, I would like to express my gratitude to the Chair of the Widyatama Foundation, the Rector of Widyatama University, the Dean of the Faculty of Languages, and my colleagues in the D-3 and S-1 Japanese Language Study Program at UTama. I would also like to thank the Taruna Bakti Foundation and the Principal of Taruna Bakti High School for their cooperation in implementing this PKM,” concluded Dinda.
The following are the PKM team members who participated: Aan Amalia, M.Pd., Head of the D3 Japanese Language Program, Hety Nurohmah, M.Hum., Head of the S1 Japanese Language Program, Felicia Aprilani, M.Hum., A. Latif Jaohari, M.Pd., Nindy Rizky, A.Md., Nasa, and Nabilah.
(Source: majalahsora.com)
