Academic Prize 2022 laureate, Prof. Timon SCREECH visited Fukuoka Girl's High School in the West Ward of Fukuoka City.

Professor Screech was welcomed with cheers and applause by the International Studies students gathered in the audio-visual room. In his greeting he said, "I am so delighted to be welcomed by so many happy smiles," then Professor Screech began the first part of his lecture on the theme of "Internationalism in Edo Period Culture.” He explained in an easy-to-understand manner, with an occasional touch of humor, about: the history of Edo during the Sakoku Period, a time of national seclusion of the country; the trade with foreign countries that took place on Dejima Island in Nagasaki; and the deepening in international understanding by the people of the time made by the exchanges with the foreigners who traveled to Edo and wished to see the shogun in the capital. The students were fascinated by the intriguing content of the lecture, which focused on what were depicted in various ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock printings), portraits, and landscape paintings from Japan and abroad, and unraveled hidden stories, seldom covered in usual history classes, such as the way people thought and lived in those days.

In the second part of the session, time was provided for group discussions, in which students compiled their impressions and questions from the lecture which they presented in English. The students asked questions about how Professor Screech became interested in Japanese culture, as well as examples of how different languages have been established in different countries through international exchanges. They shared a lively exchange of ideas and opinions. In closing, Professor Screech who came to Japan for the first time at the age of 19, shared his own experiences, saying, “I would like to urge young people like you, who are passionate and free-spirited, to travel.” “The best time to learn a language is when you have to," he said in a message of encouragement that touched the hearts of the students of the International Studies Department, who aim to communicate in a foreign language and gain correct understanding about different cultures.