What are Japanese Graduates like? Part4



As autumn approaches, ARI is now in full swing to begin recruiting Japanese Participants for the next academic year.

On Saturday, November 30, we will hold a trial enrollment event for prospective participants (More information at the end of this article).

So, here’s a report on the “now” of our Japanese graduate!

【Hiroka Komatsubara, 2020 graduate】

Q1, Why did you become a participant at ARI?

I wanted to acquire practical knowledge and skills in agriculture and was interested in international development.

I stayed at ARI several times before enrolling, and the atmosphere at ARI suited me well, which also encouraged me.

Q2, What was your biggest learning experience at ARI?

The friends who had gathered from all over the world had lived completely different lives from me.

There were too many differences to count, but no matter how different we were, we were all “the same human”.

It may be obvious, but it was the most important lesson I learned while living together with them.

Q3, About your current livelihood and life.

After graduating from ARI, I joined the Community-Reactivating Cooperator Squad in Shioya-town, Tochigi,
and work as an interview writer reporting on the people of the town.

Please follow my Instagram account! → @hiroka_408

Q4, What is your message to those who are considering becoming a participant at ARI?

We never can predict what will happen in the future in which we will live.

A major earthquake might hit tomorrow, we might win the lottery next month, or we might get sick in a year.

In this way, I personally feel that ARI is a place where we nurture in each other a kind of nucleus of ourselves that will remain unchanged even if some major life-changing event happens to us. At least, I was able to spend many rich days learning with people who have a flexible nucleus.

Anyway, if you are interested in, please visit ARI once! I support you!

☆ Are you interested in learning through hands-on experience in International Cultural Exchange × Agriculture × Community Development?

We are hosting an Open Campus event on Saturday, November 30th, where you can learn what it’s like to study at ARI and what the daily life of Japanese participants looks like!

Date: Saturday, November 30, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Participation Fee: 2,000 yen (Cash payment on the day)

How to Apply:

Apply through the link in our bio→ https://ari.ac.jp/entry-form-open-campus2024?ari=news or contact us at [[email protected]]

Don’t miss this chance!

Men's Dormitory & Guest House

Participants and volunteers live in separate dormitories for men and women. The dormitory includes shared lounges, kitchens, showers, and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is not available.

Poultry House

The poultry facilities include free-range chicken coops and a brooding house. More than 400 chickens are raised, producing over 80,000 eggs and approximately one ton of chicken meat each year.

Pig Pen

Participants learn a variety of pig farming techniques through hands-on practice. Both deep-litter and concrete-floor systems are used, and manure is recycled into biogas and fertilizer.

Goat House

Goat milk (over 200 liters annually) and meat are used for food, while manure is used as fertilizer. During the day, the goats roam freely in the pasture.

Forest

The forests surrounding the campus are managed through selective thinning for firewood and charcoal production. Leaves and other organic materials are collected for use in agriculture.

Fields

On 2.5 hectares of farmland, approximately 100 varieties of vegetables and crops are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The entire community helps manage the fields as part of its commitment to learning and self-sufficiency.

Rice Paddies

Rice is cultivated in paddies both on and off campus. Various organic rice-growing methods are studied and practiced, including weed control and fertilization using ducks.

Workshop

The workshop is a space for repair and recycling activities. It contains machinery, welding equipment, woodworking tools, and a variety of materials.

Feed Mixing Room

Livestock feed is produced here using both manual and mechanical methods. Continuous efforts are made to improve feed quality and sustainability.

Administration Building

The first floor houses the reception area and administrative offices, while the second floor contains staff offices and the Director’s office. The Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room) is located adjacent to the building.

ARI Shop

The shop offers ARI-grown produce, processed foods, books, and handicrafts from the home countries of ARI graduates.

Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room)

The facility serves as the hub of agricultural activities at ARI. It includes classrooms, storage for tools and farming materials, and facilities for drying and storing crops.

Oikos Chapel

Originally a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse, the chapel has been renovated into a place of worship. Daily morning gatherings are held here, along with meditation, dialogue sessions, gospel choir practice, and other community activities. Oikos is a Greek word meaning “home.”

Manna House (Food Processing Room)

This facility is used for producing and storing processed foods such as cookies and jam. The ground floor also contains a poultry processing facility.

Fish Ponds

Fish are raised for both food and agricultural purposes.

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