The Japanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FIB USU), conducted a community service activity at SMK Negeri 3 Medan, involving two inbound students from Kitakyushu University, Japan. The activity aimed to broaden students' understanding of Japanese society and education while increasing their motivation to learn Japanese and pursue further studies in Japan.

The community service activity was conducted 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 four students from the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU.

SMK Negeri 3 Medan was selected as a community service partner because it offers Japanese language classes supported by two teachers, one of whom serves as the head of the Japanese Language Subject Teachers' Forum (MGMP) in Medan. In addition to classroom learning, the school also offers Japanese language extracurricular activities. Students actively practice and strive to participate in various Japanese-related competitions to develop their skills and interest in the Japanese language and culture.

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, traditional foods, climate, and tourist attractions. The materials covered 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. Students were also introduced to Kokura Castle and the Kitakyushu Manga Museum as destinations that bring together Japanese history and popular culture.

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

The community service materials also covered senior high school life in Japan. Arisa Monji shared her experience studying at Hokuchiku Senior High School in Fukuoka Prefecture, while Hikari Inamoto introduced her experience at Takefu Senior High School in Fukui Prefecture. Both explained their experiences entering senior high school, the subjects they studied, 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). Through these materials, students learned about the Japanese education experience, which encompasses academic learning, interest development, teamwork, and learning experiences outside the classroom.

The students' enthusiasm was evident throughout the presentations and their interactions with the two students from Kitakyushu University. They asked questions about the materials presented and made efforts to communicate in Japanese, despite their limited language proficiency. Their willingness to do so demonstrated their eagerness to practice the knowledge they had gained through classroom learning and extracurricular activities.

Direct interaction with Japanese university students provided an opportunity for participants to use Japanese in real-life communication situations. This experience is expected to improve their confidence in communicating and encourage them to continue practicing and developing their Japanese language skills. The activity also connected language learning with the social, cultural, and educational context of Japan.

The introduction to Japanese school and university life also provided students with insights for planning their education after graduation. Information about the university environment and learning experiences in Japan is expected to inspire them to pursue further studies while motivating them to prepare their language and academic skills.

This community service activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 on Quality Education. Enriching learning through an introduction to the Japanese language, culture, and education gives students opportunities to broaden their perspectives and develop communication skills. The activity also aligns with the spirit of Target 4.7, which emphasizes global citizenship education and appreciation of cultural diversity.

In addition to supporting quality education, this activity contributes to SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. The collaboration between the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, Kitakyushu University students, and SMK Negeri 3 Medan brought together knowledge and experiences from different educational environments. This exchange served as a means of strengthening educational relations and cross-cultural understanding between Indonesia and Japan.

The involvement of students from the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, also strengthened ties between the university and its partner school. This collaboration demonstrates how international academic partnerships can be utilized to enrich students' learning experiences and provide benefits to the community.

Through this community service activity, the Japanese Literature Study Program, FIB USU, hopes that students' interest in the Japanese language and culture will develop into a sustained enthusiasm for learning. The experience of interacting directly with Japanese university students is expected to build students' confidence, broaden their educational perspectives, and support quality learning through cross-cultural partnerships.