The Japanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU), conducted a community service activity at Kesatria Private Senior High School, Medan, involving two inbound students from Kitakyushu University, Japan. The activity aimed to broaden students' understanding of Japanese society and education while fostering their motivation to learn Japanese and pursue further studies in Japan.

The community service activity was led by the Head of the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, Alimansyar, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., together with two students from Kitakyushu University, Hikari Inamoto and Arisa Monji. The activity was also supported by two students from the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, who are alumni of Kesatria Private Senior High School, Medan.

Kesatria Private Senior High School, Medan, was selected as a community service partner because it has offered Japanese language classes since 2014 and provides extracurricular activities to expand students' opportunities to practice the language. Students also strive to participate in various Japanese-related competitions to develop their skills and interest in Japanese language and culture. The activity held special significance because the Head of the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, who also served as the activity coordinator, Alimansyar, is an alumnus of the school.

The presentation began with an introduction to Fukuoka Prefecture and Kitakyushu City, both located in the Kyushu region of Japan. Hikari Inamoto and Arisa Monji introduced the local community's way of life, climate, traditional cuisine, and tourist destinations. Students were introduced to ramen and mentaiko as part of Fukuoka's culinary heritage, as well as yaki curry, or baked curry, which is one of Kitakyushu's signature dishes. The community service materials also covered Kokura Castle and the Kitakyushu Manga Museum as examples of destinations that bring together Japanese history and popular culture.

The two students introduced Kitakyushu University, including its available faculties and study programs. They also shared insights into university life, course scheduling, student organization activities, and the Seiransai campus festival. This information provided students with an overview of student life in Japan and various opportunities to develop interests beyond academic activities.

An introduction to senior high school life in Japan was also part of the activity. Arisa Monji shared her experience studying at Hokuchiku Senior High School in Fukuoka Prefecture, while Hikari Inamoto recounted her experience at Takefu Senior High School in Fukui Prefecture. Both introduced aspects of school life, including subjects, study schedules, break times, and extracurricular activities, known as bukatsu.

Students also received information about various school activities in Japan, such as sports festivals (taiikusai), cultural festivals (bunkasai), and study trips (shuugaku ryokou). This introduction provided an overview of how education in Japan focuses not only on classroom learning but also on teamwork, interest development, and learning experiences outside the classroom.

Students followed the presentations enthusiastically and demonstrated their interest through direct interaction with the two Japanese students. They asked questions about the materials presented and made efforts to communicate in Japanese, despite their limited language proficiency. Their willingness to do so was an important part of the learning experience, as it gave them an opportunity to apply the knowledge they had acquired in real-life communication.

The experience of interacting with Japanese university students also complemented the language practice students had undertaken through classroom learning, extracurricular activities, and participation in various Japanese-related competitions. The opportunity to communicate directly is expected to build students' confidence while encouraging them to continue developing their Japanese language skills.

The community service activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education. Introducing Japanese language, culture, and education enriched students' learning experiences and broadened their understanding of societies with different cultural backgrounds. The activity also aligns with the spirit of Target 4.7, which emphasizes global citizenship education and appreciation of cultural diversity.

The introduction to university life in Japan is also expected to help students plan their education after graduating from senior high school. Information about the university environment and the experiences of Japanese students can serve as an initial foundation for developing aspirations to pursue further studies, along with the willingness to prepare their language and academic skills.

In addition to supporting quality education, the community service activity contributes to SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. The collaboration between the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, Kitakyushu University students, and Kesatria Private Senior High School, Medan, provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and experiences from different educational environments. This collaboration aligns with the spirit of Target 17.16, which emphasizes multi-stakeholder partnerships and knowledge sharing to support sustainable development.

The involvement of two students from the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, who are alumni of Kesatria Private Senior High School, Medan, also strengthened ties between the school and the university. This connection demonstrates how alumni can play a role in supporting educational and community service activities at their former schools.

Through the implementation of the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi), particularly community service, the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, hopes that this activity will enrich Japanese language learning through cross-cultural experiences. The activity is expected to foster sustained enthusiasm for learning, broaden students' educational perspectives, and strengthen educational partnerships between Indonesia and Japan.