Added Friday 9th February 2018 by Jill Johnson (Return to Blog)

 2月8日（木）、13名の帝京大ダラムキャンパスの学生たちが5ヶ月のダラム留学を終え、日本へ旅立ちました。ダラム滞在中は帝京祭をはじめ学校訪問や職場経験、日本語クラスなど文化交流活動を通し、授業だけでは学べない英語でのコミュニケーション能力を身につけました。フェアウェル・ディナーでは、お世話になった方々と食事を楽しみ、最後は優秀なカレッジ、個人への表彰が行われました。（詳細は本文参照）たくさんの思い出と共にダラムを後にした学生たち、今後の日本での活躍を大いに期待しています。

Thursday 8^th February saw the 13 Teikyo students who have been in Durham for the last 5 months, begin their journey back to Japan and the remainder of their studies at Teikyo University and beyond. 

During their time in Durham they have all engaged in and benefited from the English Language and Culture programme, learning English skills both in the classroom and in their integration with Durham University colleges. The students were able to engage in the extracurricular options available and tried a wide variety of new activities and sports.

 The students also had work experience placements in the local community and met local people and students regularly to practise their speaking skills.

The students also benefited from offering Japanese culture experiences to local primary schools, colleges and community groups, giving insight into Japanese traditions and practising English skills too, the culmination of which was the Teikyo Festival with over 300 visitors to the campus of Teikyo University of Japan in Durham.

The students had the opportunity to visit many UK cities including York, Edinburgh, Bath, Bristol and Stratford upon Avon as well as visiting local sites including Newcastle and its museums, the Metro Centre, Holy Island and Seahouses as well as a field trip to Italy visiting Florence and Venice.

 The term finished with a wonderful Farewell Dinner in St Mary’s College with all staff and students and invited guests.  After enjoying a delicious meal the student awards were presented. Van Mildert College won the Teikyo University College Championship, Yusuke Terai won the Cultural Integration Award,  Aya Sugahara the Sports Award and Chihiro Kodama the Most Improved Student Award. The prestigious Durham University Award for Academic Excellence was won by Yohei Shinozaki.

All in all the students have enjoyed participating in a very full and varied English language and Culture Programme and despite the 5am start on 8^th February; they left Durham with many new skills and memories to treasure.