Hello, this is Yuri Makada from the Hakusanroku office. After school on Friday, November 29th, 2024, students and teachers decorated a Christmas tree in the Living Commons.
 Students started by assembling the Christmas tree, and then both the students and teachers decorated it with colorful ornaments and sparkling lights. During Christmas tree decoration time, there were some unique moments, such as 1st year student Ikki Hashimoto and Domyson Abuan sensei dancing to a Christmas song, and 1st year student Soma Ioroi pretending to be a Christmas tree while students and teachers decorated him with ornaments. There was laughter and fun. Students and teachers also decorated the stairs and automatic doors, putting the whole school in a Christmas mood.
 Students took photos in front of the completed tree and chatted happily as they ate sweets. It was a wonderful day 🎄

@ictkanazawa

Decoration the Christmas tree🎄 2024年11月29日（金）の放課後、白山麓キャンパス（1、2年生）では、クリスマスツリーの飾り付けが行われました🎄🎅🏻可愛くて豪華なクリスマスツリーに仕上がりました💕🌟🤭 #国際高専 #白山麓キャンパス #クリスマス #クリスマスツリー飾り付け #ict #christmas #happyholiday #holidayseason #christmasdecorations #treedecoration #kosen #internationalcollegeoftechnology #koseninjapan #英語 #english #ボーディングスクール #boardingschool

♬ original sound - demis hitchhiker

Yuri Makada

Hello, I am Haruki Ohta, a 3rd year student of ICT. I am currently studying abroad in New Zealand and enjoying the most wonderful life. Eight months have passed since April, and it is already December. Time really flies. I am so grateful to my parents for allowing me to enter ICT and study abroad in New Zealand. Thank you.

 

By the way, I ride a road bike in New Zealand. I didn't bring the bike from Japan, but bought a used bike in New Zealand for about 60,000 yen. It is for commuting and training. However, I had a certain assumption. "Dunedin is a city, so there are fewer mountains than Japan, it is flat, and a road bike is good." This was a big mistake. After buying a road bike, I was excited to explore the area around the school, but there were only steep slopes. My homestay is in an area with a series of steep slopes to the school, and there are many steep slopes with an average gradient of 14%, which is even difficult to walk on. You may be able to climb the slopes if you go on a mountain bike or electric bicycle, but road bikes require power because the gear ratio is small. Local people even push their bikes. In other words, it's "tough (I can't climb)". I completely regret it. When I commute, I ride while carrying a bag with my laptop and other items, which adds extra weight on top of the steep hills. To be honest, it's hell. But it is good for me and I think it is necessary to get stronger in competitions, so I haven't given up and ride almost every day without getting off my bike. After 8 months, I am now able to easily climb steep slopes (I think). I am happy that I have gotten a little stronger, but another problem has occurred. My thighs got too big and I can’t wear 90% of the pants I brought from Japan.

I've been riding road bikes in New Zealand since April, and there have been many good and difficult things. What I learned here is "There is no limit! Break through with determination!" I've always had a strong spirit of challenge and have done many things, and of course I did stupid and dangerous things. But until now, I was just challenging myself, or I would give up if I thought it was even a little difficult. Through my road bike experience, I have been able to push myself and go beyond my limits. I think this is something that is common everywhere. At first, I thought I was bad at data analysis and programming for AI research, which I have never done before, but I persevered and am now gradually becoming good at it.

At first glance, road bikes may seem like just expensive bikes, but I think there is a lot to be gained from riding a road bike. It may be better to try something and put in a little effort. This is not just about road bikes, but rather it is about not being interested in anything or not trying anything because of prejudice.

I have been able to have a variety of experiences through this study abroad. It is rare to study abroad for a long period of time, such as a year, rather than a short period of time, and not everyone can experience it. I am truly grateful to my parents for allowing me to enter ICT and for giving me this valuable opportunity. I would like to live my life in New Zealand from now on, realizing that this is not something to be taken for granted and feeling grateful.

Haruki Ohta

 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

Hello, I am Ian Stevenson, an English teacher here at Hakusanroku Campus.
 On Thursday, October 24th, 2024, in what has become an annual tradition at ICT, students made jack-o'-lantern. This year, because of weather and monkeys, I was not able to grow any pumpkins in my garden. All the jack-o'-lanterns this year are made from paper mache. 

If you’re interested in making paper mache see the link below for the recipe.
Hakusanroku Journal: November 19, 2022 Making Jack-o’-lantern

 1st year students Kotori Mae, Madoka Nakazawa, Ayane Ito and Takeshi Murayama, as well as Learning Mentor Sade Moore sensei, all made jack-o'-lanterns, put lights in the jack-o'-lanterns’ mouths and hung them so they could look across the road at Sena Roadside Station. Madoka cut a fanged and star eyed monster from her paper mache pumpkin, Sade sensei made a Cinnamoroll Roll jack-o-lantern, Kotori’s jack-o'-lantern had green hair, Ayane created an original pumpkin character called “Kabo Kabo” and Takeshi turned his paper mache pumpkin into a bat.