Pangaea Activity Intercultural School for Youths 2021
Introduction
From December 26 to 28, 2021, when PAIS (Pangaea Activity Intercultural School for Youths) was held, Shiga Prefecture experienced record-breaking snowfall. In Hikone City, adjacent to Takashima City where the PAIS venue “Shirahamaso” is located, the snowfall was an astonishing 35 times the annual average! Even around Shirahamaso, there was an unusual amount of snow, allowing participants to enjoy snow activities like snowball fights and building kamakura (snow huts). The heavy snow blocked some roads, but thanks to participants who helped clear it, we felt reassured by their reliability. Typically, KISSY (Kyoto Intercultural Summer School for Youths) is held in summer, so this snowy experience was a refreshing change. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented thorough safety measures: pre-event PCR testing, daily morning health checks, mandatory non-woven masks, and vinyl gloves during cooking. We eagerly await the day when the pandemic subsides, and Pangeans can gather in the same place again. Additionally, the red PAIS hoodies distributed to participants featured the logo of the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund printed on the back. We received tremendous support from this fund to make PAIS possible this time. Thank you very much.
Activity Details
Day 1
Meeting Different People, Languages, and Cuisines
Japanese participants gathered at the guesthouse Shirahamaso! They came from Saga, Yamaguchi, Osaka, Kyoto, Mie, Shizuoka, Kanagawa, Tokyo, and Chiba. To get to know each other, we started with the familiar Pangaea “Tako Introduction.” Participants paired up, interviewed each other about their favorite things, and shared them with the group. Some liked sumo, others swimming, and some were great at piano—such a diverse group! Did everyone manage to remember each other?
At night, we held an intercultural cooking workshop. We made and enjoyed Khinkali (Georgia), Gozinaki (a Georgian snack), and Nachos (Mexico). We also ate “Pangaea-yaki,” a twist on regular takoyaki, with fillings like kimchi, cheese, or even an ajillo-style version. We added handmade flags to indicate each dish’s country of origin. Everything was so delicious that we kept eating even after we were full!
Day 2
Connecting with friends in the World
In the morning, Yumi, the director, explained the SDGs, and we all made “SDGs Karuta” together, producing some masterpiece cards. Afterward, we joined an online workshop called DiD (Dialogue in the Dark), organized by Dialogue Japan Society. Connected online with a visually impaired facilitator, we created sensory maps, guiding someone from home to a destination using senses like smell and touch instead of sight. Participants shared comments like “It was a great experience!” and “Really interesting!” Imagining a world different from what we usually see helped foster empathy. As global citizens, we hope to grow in our ability to consider others’ perspectives.
In the afternoon, we held “PANGAEA CONNECT”! We connected online with seven countries—Kenya, Cambodia, Georgia, South Korea, Japan, the USA, and Singapore—for intercultural exchange. We started with greetings in each country’s language, followed by a quiz competition and a talent show. The quiz included tough, international questions like “Q: Why does the U.S. President change pens multiple times during a signing ceremony?” The Japanese team won, answering 10 out of 15 correctly. This quiz was crafted with dedication by high school facilitators—former Pangaea participants from their elementary and middle school days—who revised questions multiple times. In the talent show, each country had 10 minutes to showcase traditional performances or talents. Even singing varied in style, rhythm, and vibe across countries, making it fascinating. Some added self-made videos to their songs, others performed traditional dances or shared original poetry. Presenting in front of so many people takes courage, and they rose to the challenge admirably, including a Kyogen performance. After each presentation, questions and comments flowed from various countries, creating a lively exchange. We also realized that everyone, across all participating countries, felt the impact and anxiety of COVID-19. Especially in such times, this kind of caring international exchange felt profoundly important.
Final Day (Day 3)
Heading Home
We had planned to visit Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, but it was canceled due to road closures from heavy snow. This might have been for the best—everyone was so exhausted that they slept on the bus ride home (lol). With the excursion plans changed early in the morning, we took it slow, enjoyed a hearty breakfast, and shoveled snow to free Pangaea’s buried vehicles. Saying goodbye was bittersweet but calm, with an unwavering belief that we’d meet again someday.
Participants’ Voices
Japan Participant (Elementary School Student)
Connecting with people from other countries made me realize the importance of foreign languages, and I want to study them harder. Making SDGs Karuta in a group helped me understand what SDGs are about. It’s scary to think what might happen if things continue as they are.
South Korea Participant (High School Student)
PAIS 2021 was another fun experience! Joining activities like the quiz and talent show, and talking with everyone in the languages I’ve learned, made me so happy. Next time, I’d love to help with international exchange as a facilitator.
Singapore Volunteer (Adult)
Pangaea is a place where young Pangeans (and those young at heart) come together. PAIS is an intercultural playground where Pangeans from diverse backgrounds spend time together and play in a safe environment. Through PAIS, they learn to value cultural diversity and respect different perspectives from a young age. I’ve been volunteering since 2016, and it’s inspiring to see kids who were once participants grow up and now help younger Pangeans as facilitators! I’m delighted that Pangaea continues its energetic efforts in global citizenship education for kids, undeterred by pandemic restrictions. PAIS reminded us how vital intercultural exchange—both between countries and within them—is, especially now when personal interactions are limited. I hope COVID-19 ends soon, and activities like PAIS-21 multiply!
Japan Volunteer (High School Student)
What stood out most was connecting with overseas Pangeans. I was moved that we could unite even in tough times, and seeing everyone’s faces after so long made me really happy! Joining PAIS as a facilitator gave me a new perspective and taught me so much. This first sleepover event in a while was super fun and a great experience!
Japan Participant (Middle School Student)
It was my first time, so I was nervous about Pangaea at first, but everyone was so kind and talked to me, which made me happy. Summarizing barrier-free and environmental issues into slogans was a fun way to learn. In the talent show, everyone praised my favorite thing—dancing—which thrilled me. I want to get better and dance for everyone again!
Japan Participant (Middle School Student)
What stuck with me most from this PAIS was the online exchange with kids overseas. Because of COVID, I hadn’t seen my foreign friends at all, so it was great to finally see their faces. Some had changed in vibe or appearance since we last met, which surprised me.
Japan Volunteer (High School Student)
It was my first winter event, and with all that snow, playing with the kids felt so fresh and fun. As a first-time facilitator, I was a bit unsure, but managing the webcam with multiple countries went well, so I’m glad. I’m looking forward to meeting kids from other countries again in the summer.
Final note
PAIS2021: To Global Citizens!
PAIS lasted just three days and two nights, but it was an incredibly rich time. Building on the tradition of KISSY, held every summer by Pangaea, we adapted to the pandemic by revisiting past efforts and introducing new activities like the intercultural cooking workshop, DiD, and an online quiz with seven countries. In the end, the classic “Pangaea moment” struck—not wanting to go home. Even those homesick on the first day were saying “I don’t want to leave!” by the last day, a sentiment echoed by both kids and staff alike. That’s the Pangaea style! We’d love for more people to experience this feeling.
