Japanese students learn about Canadian culture

A group of 47 Japanese students not only tasted Canadian style pizza at Vancouver Island University this week, they helped make it.

The students, visiting from Kokusai Gakuin High School in Japan, were excited as staff in VIU’s Professional Baking program showed them how to layer ingredients on mini pizzas and cook them individually in a unique outdoor wood-fired brick oven.

The student’s visit was part of a 10-day program offered through VIU’s International Education department. While here, the students received English Language instruction and participated in socio-cultural activities like pizza making to enhance their education about First Nations and Canadian culture.

Besides the cooking workshop, students visited Nanaimo Museum and a local elementary school, and attended a workshop hosted by First Nations community members on basket weaving.

“This program provides an opportunity for international and Canadian students, faculty, staff and community partners to interact and learn from each other,” said Jennifer Jensen-Richards, Manager, International Education, Contracts and Group Programs.

International Education at VIU offers many combinations of international group programs to provide valuable educational opportunities for everyone involved and as part of VIU’s internationalization of the campus initiative.