The COIL+ Program at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), one of Kansai University’s JIGE partner institutions, concluded with a Final Presentation showcasing the outcomes of students’ collaborative research and intercultural learning experiences.

Throughout the program, students worked in six interdisciplinary groups, each focusing on one of the following themes: Leisure, Sports, Beauty, Shopping, Entertainment, and Food. Through a combination of classroom discussions, field observations, and collaborative research, participants explored similarities and differences between popular culture in California and Japan.

As part of their research activities, students also participated in a weekend Scavenger Hunt, during which each group investigated examples of local popular culture in Bakersfield. By documenting their findings through photographs and observations, students gathered firsthand data that later served as the foundation for their comparative analyses. Drawing on these experiences, each group examined how cultural values, lifestyles, and social practices are reflected in everyday activities and consumer behavior in both countries.

During the Final Presentation session, students shared their research findings with faculty members, local students, and fellow participants. Presentations highlighted a wide range of cultural perspectives, from differences in food culture and recreational activities to variations in sports fandom, shopping habits, beauty standards, and entertainment preferences. The presentations demonstrated not only students’ analytical skills, but also their ability to communicate across cultures and work effectively in international teams.

 

Following the presentations, a Closing Ceremony was held to celebrate the participants’ achievements. Several individual awards, including the Best Presenter Award and Spirit Award, were presented to students who demonstrated outstanding presentation skills, leadership, initiative, and enthusiasm throughout the program. The award ceremony created an energetic and celebratory atmosphere as participants reflected on their accomplishments and experiences.

 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students received certificates of completion from CSUB. Having spent more than a week learning, researching, and collaborating with peers from different cultural backgrounds, participants celebrated the friendships they had built and the personal growth they had achieved during the program.

 

By integrating COIL-based virtual exchange, field-based learning, and face-to-face collaboration, the COIL+ Program provided students with valuable opportunities to develop intercultural competence, communication skills, teamwork, and global perspectives. The experiences gained through the program will continue to support participants in their future academic and international endeavors.