Michelle Stephenson

Welcoming Speech  (1)

Com. 345 / L. Rohler

 

            Students, faculty members, and distinguished guests, I welcome you. I am Michelle Stephenson, and on behalf of the administration and the students of UNCW, I would like to take this opportunity to address our visitors of Kyoto University. We graciously accept your presence today to consult our notion of a Student Exchange Program between UNCW and Kyoto University. There are ways in which both schools are alike, but there are several customs in which we’re different; with this in mind, the exchange of students will be a culture learning experience.

           

Foremost, both UNCW and Kyoto University share a common significance for being established schools. UNCW has been around for over 50 years, while Kyoto University was established over 100 years ago. Their credibility lies within their years of excellence. Both continue to expand to the needs of students. Kyoto University is composed of ten faculties, fifteen Graduate Schools and twelve Research Institutes, and twenty-one Research and Educational Centers. While UNCW is not as large as Kyoto, it is ever growing by adding new dormitories and buildings to its campus.

           

Next, Kyoto University has a scholastic exchange program with 52 universities and are promoting various activities of exchanges such as, exchanges of faculty members, student exchanges, and joint research meetings. Every year, more than 1,500 researchers are dispatched to universities abroad and are contributing greatly to developments in academic research. Kyoto University has an intake of over 1,000 foreign students, comprising 134 undergraduates and 617 postgraduates, from all over the world. Although UNCW does not have an exchange program, we are in desperate need of diversity on our campus and in the community.

 

Like Japan, Wilmington also holds firm to custom. The little town of Wilmington was established in 1739, and grew into a lively port city. Due to the Cape Fear River, the historic Downtown area is marveled at for its original Charleston style houses and scenic cobble stone street ways. There are many independent vendors who keep the area rich in shopping. There are also numerous restaurants downtown that cater to various appetites.   Much too like the structure of the UNCW campus, with its beautiful landscape, two story brick buildings with massive white columns, and reflective fountainhead bodies of water. Hence, one of the main attractions in the Wilmington area is the beach. Wrightsville Beach is a beautiful and peaceful area that is mostly residential and where many people retire. Not only are there locals here, but different students from the New England area and people from California who are interested in our small film industry. With our rich agricultural areas and the mountains only 6 hours away, Wilmington is the place to be for accessibility. Therefore, Kyoto students will get a good sense of what it’s like to be an American.

 

Consequently, UNCW students will have the special privilege to visit an Asian culture and learn the Japanese way of life. It would enable us to gain knowledge of the way of life all the way across the country and to study with some of the world’s finest engineers and businesses. We would also have the opportunity to explore the many reputable research centers in Japan, in order to understand and aid in future findings.

 

To conclude, both UNCW and Kyoto University students will have a world of knowledge to share with each other and learn from one another through this exchange program experience. By doing this, we will also gain a closer and stronger relation with one another in hopes to help each other toward the near future. From our high standards of learning and rich cultures, to our yearnings of new teachings, I strongly urge this Student Exchange Program between UNCW and Kyoto University. It shall be a great success and learning experience. Thank you for coming and God Bless!