Japanese Program Hosts Two Groups of University Students

The Japanese Program cooperated with the Japanese government in hosting 50 students from two Japanese universities

In December 2016, the Japanese Program cooperated with the Japanese government in hosting 50 students from Iwate Prefectural University and the University of Electrical Communications (Tokyo) over two days. This was part of the Kakehashi Program, whose aim is to build a “bridge for tomorrow” through youth exchange. The visitors from these prestigious universities gave wonderful speeches about Japanese culture and exciting dance, music, kendo, and karate performances. UMD students from JAPN 301 and 401 planned various events for the guest students, making sure they had a photo shoot with Testudo. The students exchanged contact information, and they are still in touch with each other, making real the Kakehashi goal of “promoting deeper mutual understanding among the people of Japan and the United States."