This April I went to Osaka, Japan, to attend a very interesting event called “The Asian Conference on Arts & Humanities” held by IAFOR (The International Academic Forum). This event was held from April 5-8, 2012 at the Ramada Hotel, Osaka. More than 250 people participated in this international event.
I have to say that it was truly an exciting experience! I am still overwhelmed by the memory of so many great moments I spent during the conference. I woke up in the morning full of enthusiasm to attending the participants’ presentations and got ready to be inspired by each of them. And I have to say that I woke up in the morning also full of enthusiasm to enjoying delicious breakfast buffet at the Ramada, hahaha..
I feel so blessed because I had the chance to go. Even though I had to spend all of my savings, this journey has given me new experience, new knowledge, and new friends as a return!
So here’s a glimpse of things that I experienced during the conference.
After the registration, all of the participants were invited to a welcome drink reception at the Lampada Bar where we all had the chance to meet the organizer, the keynote speakers, and also other presenters. Professor Picken as the Chairman gave the opening remarks and then lead few people that were selected by the organizer (including me, hehehe..) to do a Japanese traditional ceremony (I believe it is called “Kagami Biraki”). The chosen people had to open a barrel of Sake by smacking a stick into the barrel. It’s not just a regular Sake, it’s Taruzume-Sake or Taru Sake, a dry Japanese Sake which brewed in casks. Wow, it’s an honor for me to do it together with Dr. Joseph Haldane as the Executive Director, Professor Steve Cornwell as the Conference Chair, and also Dr. Monty as one of the Featured Speakers.. After that, all of the guests could taste the Sake. I myself only tasted a little. A mouthful should be enough for me, or else I couldn’t find the way back to my room, hahahahaha..
The following day started with parallel session. There were at least 3 parallel sessions on each day. I had confusion on choosing which session I wanted to attend because there were a lot of interesting topics. In the afternoon we listened to one featured speaker, Professor Georges Depeyrot who spoke about “Silver, Bimetallism, and Japan”, and then afterwards we listened to the keynote speaker, Professor Akito Arima who spoke about “Symmetries in Arts, Culture, and Nature”.
After this long first day, we took a short break and then went together by foot to a restaurant for the official conference dinner. It was freaking cold for me and I forgot to bring my gloves.. But I still could give a big smile for a photo!! Hehe..
Fortunately, the restaurant is not too far away from the Ramada Hotel. It was a great moment to get to know other people more. It was so fun and enjoyable. Not forget to mention, it was a time to spoil your tongue with overflowing scrumptious real Japanese cuisine..
We all went back to the hotel with big full belly..
The next morning there’s a Haiku workshop by Ms Emiko Miyashita. In this workshop we learned about Haiku-a short form of Japanese poetry-and how to write it. I never heard about Haiku before and very interested to know more. I really enjoyed this session since I also learned about Indonesian traditional poetry and English poetry when I was in high school. At the end of the workshop, all of us tried to write our very own Haiku and then read it in front. It was very exciting! Special thanks to Ms Miyashita for her alluring presentation about Haiku 🙂
After the Haiku workshop we all rushed to the parallel session again. And in the afternoon we gathered in the Sakura Room to attend a presentation from the last featured speaker, Dr. Monty P. Satiadarma, who gave an insightful argument about “The Necessities of Art Courses in Academic Settings”.
On this second night I was sort of meditating in my room, preparing myself for my own presentation on the next morning. It’s my first time presenting a paper in an international event, so I think it’s normal to feel a little bit nervous! Hehehehe..
My presentation was on the last day of the conference. It was on Easter day, April 8, 2012. I presented a paper about “The Vivaldi Effect on Emotional Regulation of Babies”. It went well even though there were not many participants watching. I believe it’s because a lot of participants were busy watching the blooming Sakura. Hahaha.. Well, I don’t blame them, because it’s very very beautiful to see..
After my presentation, there were 3 more parallel sessions.. And in the afternoon, around 5 PM, the remaining participants gathered with the organizer for a closing ceremony.. Professor Picken gave a closing remarks and then we made a group photo 🙂
I am so happy that I could pass through all of the schedule in the conference smoothly without any disruption. The organizer is very professional. They had been very helpful and supportive during the conference. I really would like to join the next ACAH or other conferences held by IAFOR because now I know that this organization consist of people who have high dedication to the advancement of science in many fields. Their motto, “International, Intercultural, Interdisciplinary” is really manifested through this conference. Many thanks to the organizer for their hard work! *two thumbs up*
After participating in an exciting yet mind-draining event (hahaha..), of course I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of blooming Sakura everywhere around Osaka. It was truly enchanting! I couldn’t stop myself for taking pictures here, there, and everywhere!
The great conference with great people in great surroundings made this journey really worth 🙂
angelastri 