留学生による地域協働の実習のエンパワーメント評価 : 歴史資産を紹介する「国際観光ガイド」インターンシップ

This paper concerns the assessment of the empowerment of international exchange students who worked as ‘International Tourism Guide’ in a local ship building museum while enrolled in the course entitled ‘the Globalization Support Internship’. International exchange students from Asia, Oceania, and Europe introduced the development of ship building technology and industry in the local town and its relation to the history of trade and diplomacy of Japan in Japanese and English. As international tourism guides cooperating with local city officials and local power actors, international student interns have had new opportunities for empowerment by being connected to local people in an equal power relationship. For international student interns, their knowledge about Japan and their international perspective was a key for taking initiative in their project which could contribute to the promotion of international tourism in unique ways.

The international tourism guide internship provided international students with a unique learning opportunity to work closely with local government officials and experience local culture. It also created opportunities for promoting cross-cultural understanding and the development of multi-culturalism in the local society. The international student interns were empowered by various factors such as utilizing their knowledge of Japanese language and society; contributing knowledge from international perspectives, and contributing their unique skills. Mutual acquisition of cultural knowledge and also knowledge on the Japanese language usage by working in a multi-cultural team was also empowering. Interns expressed that their international experiential learning has brought a sense of self-efficacy in their relationship with local administration and people. Through the practicum the interns have also developed insight into the application of their knowledge to their future careers which are related to Japan in new ways.