UNAIR NEWS – Dean of Faculty of Humanities (FIB) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Diah Ariani Arimbi, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. visited Tokyo, Japan to teach English literature at Waseda University, Tokyo from November 24 to November 30, 2019.
Diah was invited by her colleague, Prof. Motoko Sugano to directly teach Japanese students. She taught five courses in English Literature. Interestingly, Diah also taught Indonesian culture in English, especially with film media that attracted the attention of Japanese students. Diah also briefly taught two courses in one day called General English.
“The Laskar Pelangi film which has been translated into Japanese makes it easy for me to teach them,” she said.
Furthermore, Diah also presented the thoughts of women in Indonesia to Japanese students. Most of her research focused on the issue of women became an interesting discussion while she was there.
Diah admitted that Japanese students were very enthusiastic about Indonesian culture. The picture of Indonesia in Laskar Pelangi film makes Japanese students eager to learn about it. She also elaborated the diverse culture of Indonesia.
Furthermore, she also presented novels and literary works in Indonesia that have been filmed. The enthusiasm of Japanese students for these literary works impressed her.
In conducting teaching and learning activities, Diah did various collaboration and cultural activities. She did the activities so communication with Japanese students can be established well.
“It was in English, and of course Prof. Motoko helped me with the translation, “he said.
Prof. Motoko, who was her colleague during her doctoral study in Australia, expressed his pleasure for Diah’s willingness to visit Waseda University. For one week Diah was accompanied by Prof. Motoko as a language translator.
Besides teaching, Diah also visited several places in Japan. Soiji and Minatomirai Temples were the two places Diah shared with Prof. Motoko and Japanese students. She also met the Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka.
Author: Aditya Novrian
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
