【Call for Participants】Multicultural Co-Learning Light Plan in the Philippines: Let’s learn in Bacolod!
2026.08.06
Turn your weekend into an unforgettable international experience!
Join us in the Philippines for a fun and interactive cultural exchange where you’ll explore local communities, taste local cuisine, and learn about real-world social issues through hands-on activities. No technical expertise is needed, just enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to try something new. It’s the perfect first step toward studying abroad and building a global perspective.
The Multicultural Co-learning Lite Plan is designed as an introductory overseas experience program to expose students to opportunities for overseas study and exchange. The program’s flagship activity is fieldwork, and its primary objective is for students to “see local social issues with their own eyes and experience them firsthand.” By focusing on activities and assignments that do not require advanced knowledge or specialized skills, the program is designed to be accessible even to first-year students. Furthermore, by combining activities that serve as an introduction to problem-based collaborative learning (PBL) with cross-cultural exchange, the program provides opportunities for students to interact and learn together, aiming to create an accessible experience even for students participating in multicultural co-learning for the first time.
Estimated total cost: approximately ¥110,000 ~ ¥130,000
First-time Overseas Travel Support: ¥30,000
Student payment: approximately ¥80,000 ~ ¥100,000
Includes airfare, lodging, local transportation, and meals
Note: “First-time Overseas Travel Support” is available only to students who have not study abroad.
Apply
Application Deadline: Tuesday, August 19
Applications will close once capacity is reached.
https://forms.office.com/r/ZdReeDWesT
Program Details (Tentative)
Partner University: University of St. La Salle
Tentative Schedule:
| 9/25（Fri） | Departure from Narita Airport (13:40) Arrival in Manila (21:40) Arrival in Bacolod (22:20) Check-in at USLS student dormitory (22:20) |
| 9/26 （Sat） | Field Research (mainly focused on dialogue with local people) ① Fieldwork (8:00–10:30) ② Dialogue with local stakeholders (10:30–11:30) Exchange opinions with local residents and related organizations (BALAYAN Social Development Office). (Move to the university) ③ Lunch Session (12:30–14:00) Introduce study abroad, joint research, and exchange programs of USLS and the University of Tsukuba. Culture Night (17:30–21:00) Each team will prepare Bacolod cuisine assigned to them (appetizers, salads, main dishes, desserts, etc.) and deepen connections through sharing a meal together. |
| 9/27 （Sun） | Local Visit (in the form of an excursion) ➀ City Tour (8:00–12:00) Learn about history at a museum. In addition, students will visit the city and observe products related to child nutrition at supermarkets and other locations. Lunch (12:00–13:00) Final Presentation ➁ Proposal Presentation (14:00–16:30) Each team will present the proposals they have developed (in a hybrid format). Participants will receive feedback from local stakeholders and explore possibilities for future joint research and projects. ➂ Closing Session (16:30–17:00) Students and faculty/staff members will reflect on the program and share their experiences with the whole group. |
| 9/28 （Mon） | Return |
Theme of the Program: Addressing Child Malnutrition and Lack of Nutrition Education (Social Issues in the Bacolod Region)
In the areas around Bacolod, child growth stunting is a serious issue, and its relationship with PISA academic performance results has also been pointed out. Participants will examine the relationship between nutritional conditions and educational outcomes.
