Gifu University Head Office for Glocalization (GHOGL) hosts an English conversation gathering on campus called, "English Circle of Friends" twice a month during the lunch break. Japanese students, international students, faculty and administrative staff are all welcome to enjoy English conversations in a casual setting. The session is designed to offer participants the opportunity to communicate in English.

In the 7^th English Circle of Friends on November 6, 2017, Ms. Sevgi Cevik (from Turkey), Ms. Gaelle Lagrouas (from France) and Mr. Peter Collins (from the U.K.), current Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) at Gifu Prefectural Government office were invited to Gifu University as special guests. The participants were divided into small groups consisting of Japanese students/staff, foreign students, and a CIR where they engaged in discussion on the theme, "Japan As Seen Through Foreign Eyes."

During the discussions, the guests and the participants exchanged opinions with regard to the questions such as "What do you think about Japanese men and women?" It is hoped that these exchanges have deepened the participants' understanding about differences in values and ways of thinking from different cultural perspectives.

Approximately 40 students, faculty and administrative staff attended the session, one of the biggest and successful turnouts ever. The questionnaires collected afterward were full of positive comments: "It was really fun to make friends with people from different countries," "My views on Japan are now slightly different from those I have till today."
The English Circle of Friends will continue to provide a venue for students, teaching and administrative staff to experience lively intercultural exchange and interactions on campus.