Hello everyone! This is Sade Moore, a Learning Mentor at the ICT Hakusanroku Campus! I have lived in Japan now for 6 years. For the first five years, I lived in Tsubata Town in Ishikawa before moving to the Hakusanroku Campus last year when I began working at ICT. Every year since I moved to Japan, I have taken part in an activity that has become close to my heart. Since the Spring of 2018, I have volunteered and helped the Kahoku Lagoon Lake Research Institute NPO (NPO法人 河北潟湖沼研究所) plant and harvest rice in their rice paddies on the edge of Tsubata Town and Kanazawa City. 

 From creating and laying down the nursery for the, what I have come to lovingly call my “rice babies”, in the early Spring, to weeding in the Summer, to finally cutting the rice stalks down by hand with a kama （鎌）, I always have enjoyed taking care of my “rice babies” every year.

 The overall process of the cultivation of the rice sounds quite simple, even if the actually labor can be a bit intensive. The left over rice that was not sold from the previous year’s harvest are used as seeds in early spring to create a nursery in the paddies and is planted inside the nursery plot and then covered with vinyl to create the optimal growing environment for the seeds to take root.

 Once the sprouts have grown enough in the nursery plot, around late May we will then transplant the baby sprouts by hand into the 3 rice paddies. There is a small, medium, and large size rice paddy. In order to make sure that each of the sprouts are planted in the correct area, a traditional wooden takorogashi (田転がし) is used to create the grid pattern in the mud.

 After all the seedlings are planted in the paddies, hand weeding takes place several times during the summer. In late September, the rice is then cut, bound, and hung on racks to dry in the sun for several weeks.

 One of the important aspects about the rice for this organization is that the rice grown in these paddies are environmentally friendly. They do not use pesticides nor antibiotics to help grow the rice and I think it makes it even more healthy for people to eat. The Institute is also dedicated to community outreach and holds several events through out the year, both at the rice paddies, and around the Kahoku Lagoon. Specifically, during the events at the rice paddies, the ecology and environment of the rice paddies is discussed with elementary children and they search for many different animals, insects, and organisms that live and thrive in the paddy environment. The goal is to educate others about the ecosystems and fauna that are in and surround the Kahoku Lagoon and to preserve it with conservation outreach. There are also many different kinds of research projects taking place not only in the rice paddies but also around the Kahoku Lagoon that deal with conservation, ecology, agriculture, environmental protection, and preservation.

 I also have learned a great deal about paddy ecology from these events and find myself comfortable as I did research when I was in university surround the ecology of animals living in small ponds and waterways in my home state of Virginia. Actually, because of this volunteering I have met and become acquainted to many professors and teachers at local universities such as Kanazawa University and Seiryo University and their students because they also come and volunteer for the rice paddies and we have had wonderful cross-institution interactions between each other. Now that I work here, I hope that I can represent ICT well in these conversations, and I also wish that our students could take part in such dialogues as well. 

 The planting, growth, and harvesting of the The Kahoku Lagoon Lake Research Institute NPO’s rice paddies is truly a community endeavor and it is one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had since coming to Japan. I wish that I could also take our students to help with the rice paddies and learn about the ecology of them that I have come to cherish so much. Either way, the rice grown in these paddies is some of the most delicious rice I’ve ever tasted! Also, I think, it is one of the few places in Ishikawa that sells brown rice, which seems very difficult to find in Japan! I hope that everyone will be able to taste the love that we put into growing our “rice babies” when they eat it. It has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to continuing learning more about cultivating rice and the ecosystems that thrive within the rice paddies for many more years to come. I have also gained a wonderful “rice baby family” with the Kahoku Lake Institute and the participants, professors, students, and community members who join in helping at the rice paddies over the years. The connections and network that I have been able to create with this one opportunity is vast and I am thankful for all the time spent working in these fields. It truly has become one of my greatest “happy places” and a place that I feel at home and at ease at.

Sade Moore

Hello, I’m Taichi Eguchi, a 2nd year student.
 On Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20th, 2024, the 35th National College of Technology Programming Contest (Kosen ProCon) was held in Nara Prefecture. A five-member 1st year and 2nd year student team competed in the Themed Section. For more information on the Kosen ProCon and the presentations by the ICT students’ team: Five Students Participated in the 35th National College of Technology Programming Contest

 In the qualifying round, we had less than two months to come up with an idea from scratch with our team members. We worked out what kind of product we would make, had Meguru Ito sensei check our qualifying materials many times, made many revisions, and submitted our proposal well in advance of the deadline.

 We received an A grade and passed the qualifying round. After this, the team members were assigned different roles to complete the product. I had the job of creating the mobile application. I had to use a JavaScript framework called React Native. It was the first time I used React Native and JavaScript, so first I had to research these programing languages so I could create the mobile application, step by step. It was a lot of fun to learn new things as I researched and implemented them one by one, and to see things that I envisioned coming to completion.

 I was also the leader of the team. All the team members worked on their own jobs and consulted with me on matters they did not understand. I was able to trust them and concentrate on application development without having to spend much time managing the team. I have the impression that the project went smoothly. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when the application was completed.

 Due to time constraints, we were not able to experiment with the finished product. However, we received many suggestions for improvement that we did not notice on our own or that would be problematic if we used the product.

 At the end of the two days of the competition, we did not receive any special awards, but I thought it was a great experience for the team to think and work from zero to completion of the project. Also, we completed the project, which made me feel relieved. After having participated in the programming contests last year and this year, I decided that I wanted to do it again. When I become 4th year student, I want to use the feedback the team received at this year’s competition and win an award.

Taichi Eguchi

 Have you ever heard of a "learning mentor"? Many people may not know a lot about this job and I want to share what my day is like.

 My name is Apirak Sang-ngenchai, and I am a learning mentor. My work begins in the afternoon when I join the classes I am assigned to. I usually sit at the back of the classroom to listen to the lecture in order to understand the topics and context, which helps me better support the students later on. If students have questions, I provide explanations. Sometimes, I assist students who feel shy about speaking up in class.

 The evening learning session runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is the heart of my job. Students come to me for help with their studies during these two hours.

●Homework and Quizzes: During the evening session, many students bring their homework to ask for guidance. Some assignments are straightforward, like math problems or writing exercises, but others can be more complex, like science reports or project research.
●Projects and Activities: Not all students come for help with homework. Some need support for extracurricular activities or personal projects. For students interested in robotics, I help them design, build, and program robots for competitions like Robocon. This includes brainstorming ideas, debugging code, and testing the robot’s performance. Some students have their own goals, like creating a small AI application or programming a game. I guide them by teaching coding techniques, suggesting tools, and troubleshooting their problems. It’s inspiring to see their creativity and determination.
●Life Issues: Some students just want to talk. They share their worries or ask for life advice. Some students need someone to talk to. They might feel stressed about exams, homesick, or unsure about their future plans. I listen without judgment and offer encouragement. Other students ask for advice on balancing school and personal life, building friendships, or setting goals. I try to give them practical tips and share my own experiences to help them feel more confident.

 Learning mentors are like the students' older brother or sister. We play, study, and enjoy time together. It’s not just about schoolwork. It’s about building relationships. Students often feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts with me than with their teachers. For example, some students ask me for help with programming, especially for robots or AI. Then I guide them step by step through the process, and it makes me happy to see their progress.

 Besides helping students with their studies, learning mentors organize events like Halloween parties, Christmas celebrations, or cultural festivals. These events help students feel more connected to each other and the school.

 

 Being a learning mentor is busy, but it is also very rewarding. The best part of the job is watching students grow, solve problems, and become more confident. We are not just helping them with school; we are helping them with life. Now if you meet a learning mentor, you know what we do!

Apirak Sang-ngenchai

 Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku Campus office. On Saturday, November 9th, 2024, a team Ekiden (Relay Race) involving 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th year students, along with faculty and staff members, was held at the Hakusanroku Campus. It was a cool and sunny autumn day with clear blue skies, creating the perfect atmosphere for the event.
 The race took place on a roughly 670m course around the Hakusanroku Campus. Four teams were formed, each consisting of both students, faculty, and staff members. The start and handoff point was next to the gymnasium, with the course passing the dormitory, the KIT Innovation Hub, and the Hakusanroku Campus entrance before completing a full lap. Each team, made up of about 15 members, took turns running one lap at a time, completing a total of 30 laps (about 20.1 km).

 After Philip Cadzow sensei, Health and Physical Education teacher, gave the signal to start, the starting runners each team sprinted off. Right from the beginning, the starting runners added a touch of excitement to the event: among them, 4th year student Kan Kinoshita performed a backflip before starting, and Learning Mentor Apirak Sang-ngenchai sensei ran in a banana costume. As each runner completed their lap, they handed off their sash to their teammate, leading to a thrilling and competitive race. Students showed a mix of emotions—some were nervous before their turn, but they smiled as they took the sash and began running. Some students tried their best to outrun pursuing faculty and staff members. Philip sensei ran multiple laps, and Ian Stevenson sensei went above and beyond, running continuously regardless of his turn, completing an impressive 21 laps (roughly 13.5 km) on his own. In the second half of the race, the Yellow Team surged ahead, leaving the other teams two laps behind and securing a decisive victory!
 At the end of the event, Amazon gift cards were awarded to all members of the winning Yellow Team and the MVPs of each of the four teams.

 The sight of everyone, including students, faculty, and staff cheering each other on, continued until the very end of the race. It was truly moving to see the runners pushing through with labored breaths and heavy legs as the sash was passed from one teammate to another. The event was a wonderful experience, with all the team members united as one.

@ictkanazawa

2024年11月9日（土）、白山麓キャンパスで1、2、4、5年生と教職員が4チームに分かれてチーム対抗の駅伝大会が開催されました！各チームは15人で、合計30周（1周約670m）を走り切りました。🏃‍♀️🏃🔥✨ #国際高専 #駅伝 #ict #kosen #白山麓キャンパス #金沢キャンパス #ekiden

♬ familie - Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Yuri Makada

 

Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku Campus office. Today, I would like to write about the Halloween events held at Hakusanroku Campus.

 Every year when Halloween comes around, the Hakusanroku Campus is decorated with a festive Halloween theme by students and learning mentors. Students and Learning Mentors decorated the big stairs with Halloween decorations and attached plastic bags with pictures drawn on them to the air conditioner vents blowing air out from the floor. The plastic bags were decorated with pictures such as Moo deng (หมูเด้ง), the adorable baby hippo from Thailand beloved on social media, along with other animated characters and cute ghosts. The bags would sway like little ghosts in the breeze, bringing delight to teachers and staff! Additionally, a "Making Jack-o'-Lanterns" event was held, led by Ian Stevenson sensei.

 On Friday, October 25th, 2024, during the optional Learning Session, a game of hide and seek was held. The game consisted of four rounds. The students who were hiding took cover inside the school building, while the seekers had 5 minutes in the first round and 10 minutes in rounds 2 to 4 to find the hidden students. The number of seekers ranged from 3 to 6 students per round, and the goal was to find all the hidden students within the time limit. 

 The dark, quiet atmosphere of the school added an extra thrill to the game, and the students seemed to have a lot of fun. Initially, only 3 rounds of hide and seek were planned, but the excitement was so high that an additional round was added. Students who weren’t found within the time limit were rewarded with a snack by learning mentors.

The Learning Mentors created a video trailer for Hide and Seek👻

@ictkanazawa

ラーニングメンターからハロウィンにちなんだ動画をもらいました🎃今後、校内で「ハロウィン隠れんぼ」が開催されるそうです👻楽しみですね🎃👻👻 #国際高専 #白山麓キャンパス #ict #寮生活 #hakusanrokucampus #dormlife #schoollife #halloween #hideandseek

♬ オリジナル楽曲 - 【公式】国際高等専門学校 - 【公式】国際高等専門学校

The day of hide-and-seek👻

@ictkanazawa

2024年10月25日（金）のラーニングセッション（夜の学校）オプショナルの日では、「校内隠れんぼ」が開催されました🎃👻 #国際高専 #ict #internationalcollegeoftechnology #ハロウィン #隠れんぼ #寮生活 #寮 #学生生活 #学校 #高専 #Halloween #hideandseek #schoollife #dorm #kosen #kosenjapan #technicalcollege #japan #school

♬ Pumpkins Dance Halloween - AF_Sounds

 On Thursday, October 31st, 2024, teachers and students dressed in Halloween costumes for classes, strengthening the Halloween atmosphere. Students wore costumes such as Pokémon characters and movie protagonists, while teachers appeared in unique outfits like maid costumes and hot dog suits, making for a uniquely styled day of classes.

 

 Additionally, a Halloween special lunch menu was offered. The selection included a cute ghost-shaped salad and seven varieties of freshly baked bread and cookies. Students cheerfully chose their favorite treats and had a lot of fun!

 After classes, a Halloween Costume Parade was held. Students and teachers walked the stage, striking poses and performing skits they had created. Among the highlights were 1st year students Ayane Ito, Madoka Nakazawa, and Kotori Mae, who wore matching costumes from the movie Mr. Vampire and performed a dance to the music, drawing cheers of "So cute!" from the audience. Another memorable moment came when 1st year student Lapananrat Pantawat who had not worn a costume during class, surprised everyone just before the parade by appearing in a giant dinosaur costume, bringing laughter and delight to the crowd. Following the costume parade, a contest was then held to determine the most creative, scariest, cutest and funniest costumes.

 The last event was the piñata event. In this popular Mexican tradition, blindfolded students swung a stick at a piñata. They were guided by the voices around them until they hit piñata and it burst, scattering candy. Cheers erupted as treats rained down, adding excitement to the celebration.

 In October, Hakusanroku Campus was fully immersed in a Halloween atmosphere, creating a fun and lively environment. This unique Halloween event, characteristic of ICT, surely made for a memorable time for the students.

Halloween day🎃

@ictkanazawa

ハッピーハロウィン🎃👻👻👻 10月31日（木）、白山麓キャンパスの1、2年生と教職員は仮装をして1日過ごしました。夜にはハロウィンコスチュームパレードなども開催されて賑やかな1日となりました🎃🧁🧡🧡 #国際高専 #高専 #石川県 #白山麓キャンパス #ict #internationalcollegeoftechnology #kosen #kosenjapan #japan #ハロウィン #仮装 #パレード #Halloween #costume #funevent #event

♬ APT. - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

👻Costume contest video🎃

@ictkanazawa

2024年10月31日（木）の放課後、白山麓キャンパス（1、2年生）では、ハロウィンコスチュームパレードが開催されました🎉🎃👻 学生と教員たちはステージでダンスをしたり、自分たちで考えた演劇などを披露したりして、思い思いの仮装をアピールしました🕺🏻💕🎃 #国際高専 #白山麓キャンパス #ハロウィン #ict #halloween #高専 #internationalcollegeoftechnology #party #仮装 #パレード #costume #funevent

♬ Happy Halloween - Junky

Costume Contest
🏆The Funniest Award🏆

🏆The Scariest Award🏆

🏆The Cutest Award🏆

🏆The Most Creative Award🏆

Piñata

 

Yuri Makada