International Graduate Student Research at Ritsumeikan University ...

Club Activities
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Student Voice
Student Voice
Clubs Interview With
Shi Fan & Gong Jiali
Shi Fan (University of International Business and Economics) and Gong Jiali (Shanghai Jiaotong University)
are both currently in the Intensive Japanese Language Track of the Study in Kyoto Program (SKP).
Shi Fan
Gong Jiali
http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/html/current/daily_life/club/voice/shi_fan_and_gong_jiali.html/
Q: What club/circles are you currently involved in at Ritsumeikan?
A: Karatedo Doukoukai ( 空 手 道 同 好 会 )
Q: Why did you want to enter the Karate club?
A: Shi Fan: I wanted to experience something new, and since
Japanese clubs are different from the clubs in China I thought
this would be a good experience. Also, I don’t exercise very
often so I thought joining this kind of club would be good
for my health, and exercising while learning a traditional
martial art of Japan seemed interesting to me.
Gong Jiali: I always had an interest in martial arts so when
I was introduced to the club by one of my senpai in April I
thought it would be a fun way to get exercise and become
healthy.
Q: What was your first contact with the Karate Club?
A: We were attracted by the club poster which had a drawing
of a cute girl on it who looked very strong. We saw that and
thought we wanted to become strong like her.
Q: Did you have experience in martial arts before joining this club?
A: Shi Fan: Neither of us did any martial arts while we were in
China, but we were always interested in the martial arts.
Gong Jiali: While I was in China I participated in a club, but
one time when I visited Japan I was very taken by how enthusiastic
Japanese students were at club activities. In China
students are kind of just playing at the club, but here in
Japan they are very serious.
Q: How often does the circle hold practices?
A: There is practice everyday but Sunday, but we only practice
twice a week, which is ok with the club.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of being part of this club?
A: Shi Fan: In one word 礼 儀 (etiquette). In China the students do
not worry too much about the “senpai/kohai” (older/younger
students) relationship. But here in Japan this is very important,
and they are a little strict. It has been a little hard to fully enter this
environment, but the senpai are very nice so practices are fun.
Gong Jiali: Sometimes we don’t understand the Japanese
everyone is saying as there are lots of special words for the
martial arts in Japan, but by watching and copying what the
senpai are doing we can keep up with the class.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being part of this club?
A: Shi Fan: We can exercise at a regular pace and we have
been able to make many Japanese friends, which might have
been more difficult had we not entered the club.
Gong Jiali: I also feel the same way. The exercise is great,
and it has helped to increase my appetite!
Q: Any last message you would like to give to other students looking
to join a club or circle at Ritsumeikan?
A: Gong Jiali: I highly recommended the Karate Club as you
can get regular exercise and make many Japanese friends.
Shi Fan: I think if you feel
like you want to get stronger
this would be a great
club. And not just physically
strong, we have also
gotten mentally stronger,
and are able to withstand
more than before.