[Activity Report] Multicultural Co-Learning Program “Changing Mountains” with Université Grenoble Alpes, France
2026.8.17
This is the DOJO program in Université Grenoble Alpes! We arrived at Lyon Airport the 28th of June, and from the next day we had a whole week of program, including geoscience classes, 2 days of creative workshops, 3 days of fieldwork, student discussions and group presentations. What an amazing week!
- Geoscience lecture by UGA professors and students’ group presentations
2）Field trip to the Bastille Fortress to learn about Grenoble’s landscape and urban development!
At the Bastille Fortress, UGA professors explained the geology, landscape, and history of Grenoble while Japanese and French students learned together. This field excursion provided an excellent opportunity for intercultural learning through discussion in the field.
From the Bastille, we enjoyed a panoramic view of Grenoble surrounded by the Alps. Looking across the mountains, glacial landforms, and the city developed on the valley floor helped us better understand the relationship between the natural environment and urban development.
3) Fieldwork in Chamonix to learn about the disappearing glaciers!
- Professor explaining the types of rocks in Col d’Ornon
- Fieldwork at the beautiful botanical garden in Col de Lautaret!
- The models students created became a decoration in the hotel!
Let’s hear our students’ voices!
1) A view from a mountain with a great vantage point. Even though there are similar landscapes in Japan, I experienced firsthand how the difference in the way the sun shines is reflected in the photograph.
2) The view from the Bastille. We learned about the geology of Grenoble and the geomorphology shaped by glaciers.
3) The lion and the snake helped me see that mountains and water are not just part of nature, but part of the community’s story.
4) In the underground space of Bastille, I felt the beautiful historical decorations and the atmosphere of music.
5) The scale model of the Alps at the museum. I could learn visually what happened and where it happened.
6) A modeled representation of how climate change can reshape tourism in the Alps by 2076.
7) The “jardin de ville” at the city center is one of my top new favorite place now. All the old architecture and the blend of nature was so beautiful. Little kids, teenagers, couples and elders came to the park to enjoy their afternoon. I love how slow paced this place is. And also, I really liked how everyone casually says “bonjour” or “bonne journée”. Here has a stronger sense of community I believe.
8) A scene of all of us riding the tram together. At first, everything was new—I didn’t know how to buy a ticket or which tram to take. But now, I can confidently ride it all by myself!
9) Grenoble is famous for its walnuts, so I had walnut ice cream. It was delicious!
10) I ate cheese fondue recommended by Professor Pascal. It was a valuable experience to learn about the local food culture. C’était délicieux!
11) The sky on my way home after dinner while watching Japan’s World Cup match. I still can’t get used to how bright it is, even at 9:30 p.m. But thanks to the long daylight hours, every day feels full of new experiences.
