As the new president of the Japanese Association, Shoichi Hashimoto, plans to explore Japanese culture more deeply than before. He wants all students to be informed and know what JA is all about. Their mission is to increase the knowledge of Japanese culture, but they don’t want to just teach it; they want to promote student exploration.
In the upcoming months, JA has an exciting lineup planned. Not only do they hold weekly meetings to connect, learn and grow together, but they also have monthly events planned, ranging from cultural workshops to fun social gatherings. Interestingly, the JA executive board reviews each member’s schedules to ensure they can participate and feel involved. JA wants everyone to attend their events and, of course, any Muskie can join so don’t be scared to participate.
This semester, Hashimoto plans to collaborate with different organizations within the university. As the JA explores these new opportunities and collaborations, they will be able to grow and learn more about themselves.
The distinctions between the two cultures can be both fascinating and hard for those navigating life between them. Living in the USA offers a different set of experiences ranging from cultural shock to the subtleties of everyday interpersonal relationships. In contrast to Japan, which is recognized for its courteousness and close-knit communities, the USA provides a more relaxed-yet-welcoming environment; however, nothing can beat the delicious food that Japan has to offer. It is renowned for its variety and healthiness.
As members of JA, some people play a crucial role in shaping the community. Here’s a quick rundown of the leadership positions:
- President: Shoichi leads the way, guiding the organization with vision and passion.
- Vice Presidents: Assists the president and steps in when needed.
- Treasurer: Keeps the finances in check and ensures transparency.
- Promotion: Handles social media, event coordination, and spreading the word about JA.
- Secretary: Responsible for documenting meetings and keeping them organized.
Be sure to check out one of the upcoming JA events soon, which include a trivia night, a movie night and International Night. Although the dates for these events have not been released, if you are interested in knowing more information you can email Hashimoto at [email protected].
JA is always seeking to collaborate with other student organizations to broaden their experiences. Although nothing is official yet, you can be sure they will be getting in touch and looking into possible partnerships shortly.