克利夫兰小姐.—KOK体育app官方下载软件官方手机版app下载 has received the unique opportunity to introduce Japanese culture to the campus and community with its selection as a Japan Outreach Initiative host site for 2022-2024.
作为指定的一部分, 水木Umebara, a Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) coordinator, has joined the Delta State family for the next two years.
A joint initiative of the Japan Foundation and Laurasian Institution, the JOI program aims to promote awareness and understanding of Japan by bringing volunteer Japanese coordinators to regions of the U.S. where there is relatively limited access to Japanese culture.
在为期两年的项目中, the coordinators engage their American community through Japanese-themed programming.
After undergoing an intensive matching process that examines the host site’s needs and the coordinator’s ability, Umebara said she was thrilled to be selected for Delta State.
“I was really surprised when I found out that I was going to DSU, where you have the mascot of Fighting Okra, because my hometown Kochi has the second largest production of Okra in Japan!她分享道。. “There must have been a certain kind of turn of Fortune’s wheel.”
自从她今年秋天来学校后, Umebara’s first event was an International Moon Festival, 9月举办. 12 in collaboration with DSU International Education; Dr. 玛丽亚·韦伯和威利天文馆, the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum, 三角洲州的多样性, 股本, 及共融委员会, 音乐教授. Jung-Won Shin and students Vollorie Zhu, Ren Aoyama, Kaito Kamesawa and Lara Brix.
The free event included a special lunar-themed planetarium show, 兔子折纸示范, 还有韩国的传统食物, China and Japan for China’s Mid-Autumn festival, 韩国的中秋节, 以及日本的大月祭. 超过120人参加了此次活动.
Umebara during the International Moon Festival event.
Dr. 克里斯蒂的谜语, executive director of Delta State’s Student Success Center, said selection as a JOI host is an extension of activities involving Japanese culture and knowledge as numerous Delta State faculty members have participated previously in the Japan Studies Institute—an intensive two-week summer course through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
根据谜语, Delta State actually began the application process to be a host site in December 2019 and was selected in Spring 2020, but the pandemic delayed the university’s ability to host.
“幸运的是，我们没有失去信心，”她说. “Ms. 梅原对我们来说是完美的选择, and I am excited to see what the next two years bring for our campus and community.”
Stacy Hughes, program associate at the Laurasian Institution, said Delta State is an ideal host site.
“We found DSU to be a wonderful host organization candidate due to its more rural location, interest in expanding Japan-related education opportunities to students and the community and strong support for JOI among DSU staff and faculty,”她说。. “And bonus points for having okra for a mascot!”
梅原炫耀她的新秋葵卡.
在她逗留期间, Umebara said she plans to visit many places—including schools, libraries and museums—and connect with as many people as possible.
“There are a variety of things I want to introduce—not only culture, but food also. The important thing is that each activity should be enjoyable, and you will have the real essence of the culture at the end of the event,”她说。.
Her short-term goals include hosting a Japan Club meeting regularly at Delta State.
“The Japan Club meetings will be open to DSU students and the general public,”她说。. “I hope some people will eventually feel like coming to Japan in the future.”
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Andy Novobilski said the program aids in Delta State’s mission to prepare students for the real world.
“Delta State supports our students in their growth as informed citizens. Being connected to cultures of the world is critical to understanding people with diverse backgrounds,他说.
“通过日本外展倡议, we have the opportunity to experience Japanese culture through the friendships we’ll form with Ms. 水木Umebara. This is truly a gift to Delta State, Cleveland and beyond.”
Umebara said she expects to gain just as much from her stay in the Mississippi Delta.
“I personally have traveled to many countries and learned about different cultures. This experience expanded my values and greatly enriched my life,”她说。 . “I strongly hope that I can convey new points of view and the joy of learning new cultures through my activities to the people here in Mississippi.”
如有疑问或了解更多信息, contact International Education Coordinator Michelle Johansen at mjohansen@classactbusiness.net.
