The Soka University delegation, led by University President Prof. Mika Suzuki, immersed themselves in Philippine history, art, and culture through a meaningful cultural tour of the National Museum of the Philippines. The activity was facilitated by the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Linkages and International Office (LIO), in collaboration with the PNU International Volunteers and Leaders Body (InVoLB), as part of the students’ international engagement and intercultural learning experience in the country.

The visit brought the Soka University students to the three main components of the National Museum Complex: the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the National Museum of Natural History. Divided into three groups and guided by assigned student buddies from PNU, the delegation followed a carefully organized rotation schedule to ensure that each group was able to explore all three museums.

The tour commenced with a short orientation at the central area of the National Museum Complex. Facilitators from the Linkages and International Office and PNU InVoLB briefed the students on the flow of activities, group assignments, and tour guidelines. Student volunteers explained what to expect in each museum and accompanied their respective groups throughout the visit, fostering meaningful exchanges and peer-to-peer interaction.

Each group began its exploration at a designated museum before proceeding to the next sites in rotation. At the National Museum of Fine Arts, students admired iconic Filipino masterpieces and gained insight into the country’s artistic heritage. At the National Museum of Anthropology, they learned about the Philippines’ diverse ethnolinguistic groups, indigenous traditions, and precolonial artifacts. Meanwhile, the National Museum of Natural History provided a deeper understanding of the country’s rich biodiversity and unique natural environment.

Following the morning sessions, the groups reconvened at the central area of the complex for lunch, where informal conversations and cultural sharing continued. The afternoon was dedicated to completing the remaining museum visits, allowing all participants to experience the full breadth of the National Museum’s collections.

The cultural tour not only enriched the academic and cultural exposure of the Soka University students but also strengthened institutional ties between PNU and Soka University. Through the collaborative efforts of the Linkages and International Office and PNU InVoLB, the activity exemplified PNU’s commitment to internationalization, intercultural understanding, and global partnership.

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