Enabling Exchange Among Students Even When Overseas Travel is Difficult

On June 25, in total of 18 students from Sophia University and its our partner institutions in Asia and other regions gathered online for an exchange through the study and practice of mindfulness.

Ms. Chika Kawai, a mindfulness coach for companies, sports teams, and students inside and outside Japan, was invited as the lecturer for the event. She gave a lecture on the benefits of mindfulness based on brain science and conducted a 90-minute workshop filled with practical content.
Many of the participants were familiar with the term “mindfulness” but had never actually experienced it before. They first closed their eyes and, with the guidance of the lecturer’s voice, practiced breathing techniques, stretching, and meditation that even beginners can do while sitting on a chair.

A The participating graduate students shared their impressions, with one saying, “I was feeling stressed from the prolonged COVID-19 crisis and my daily studies, but this experience gave me a chance to take a breather and start the day with a good feeling.” Ms. Kawai also explained that compassion is important for mindfulness. There was a lively exchange with overseas students asking questions such as, “Does learning mindfulness lead to enhanced leadership?”

The last part of the event was time for discussions in small groups. The Sophia students and overseas students enjoyed talking freely in English and Japanese about their impressions of trying meditation and what they learned. They asked questions about each other’s cultures such as “Is meditation common in your country?” One student commented, “I’ve been feeling tired lately, but I’d like to take a minute every day to relax like this.” It was a good opportunity for the students to reflect on themselves, as they usually feel stressed unconsciously.

At the end of the event, all the participants took a group photo with refreshed smiles on their faces. The Center for Global Education and Discovery will continue to provide students with a wide range of exchange opportunities with overseas universities and students in various ways.