On February 17, 2016, the Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL) and the International Student Center jointly held a forum titled "Local Communities and Gifu University International Students" (also co-hosted by the Center for Collaborative Study with Community). Around 50 people attended the Forum, including international and Japanese students, faculty and administrative members, and visitors from outside of the Gifu University.
This Forum consisted of two sessions: "The Gujo Area and International Student Homestay Programs" and "The Takayama Area and International Student Internship Programs."

In "The Gujo Area and International Student Homestay Programs," a talk was given by Mr. Sumi Yukihiko, Chair of the Gujo Hachiman International Friendship Association (GIFA). As of 2015, members of GIFA have welcomed in their homes international students participating in the Gifu University Summer School Program every year for twenty consecutive years. Mr. Sumi commented that the interactions with people of different cultures in the homestay programs have enabled the residents to get a fresh look at the cultures of Gujo and Japan, to build ties with people of different nationalities, and to develop greater respect for the diversity. He concluded his talk by saying that these experiences would play an important role in the revitalization of the local community.
In the session of "The Takayama Area and International Student Internship Programs," Ms. Takeuchi Yumiko of the Machizukuri (community-building) Spot, an NPO that coordinates internship programs, gave a talk about the pros and cons of accepting international students. She made suggestions about things that should be reconsidered and improved when accepting international students in the programs. She also expressed expectations for the universities that send their students overseas to these programs.

The two sessions were followed by student presentations. Mr. Wiklund Simon Tor (Sweden), an international student studying at the Japanese Language and Culture Studies Course, Gifu University and who stayed with a host family at Gujo during last year's Summer School, gave a presentation on his experiences during his homestay. He said that the good memories he formed then compelled him to come and study again at Gifu University. Ms. Yuan Yushan (China), a special auditing student at the International Student Center, spoke about hospitality she learned while working at a shop in an inn during her internship in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. Ms. Wu Xian (China), who also did her internship at Takayama, talked about what she gained through her job at an inn, and expressed her gratitude to the people involved. Ms. Kimura Tomoe, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Regional Studies, talked about why her studies in the United States led her to decide to seek employment at an inn in Takayama after graduation, and about her hopes for the future.
In the question and answer session, the speakers exchanged ideas with the audience about inbound tourism and other related topics. Through the discussions with the participants of international exchange programs, this Forum proved to be a valuable opportunity for strengthening the ties between the community and Gifu University.