Hello,
I have been fastidiously working on my follow on project for the Gilman award which is basically expanding on the simple outline of the project I proposed before I was awarded the scholarship. The project basically is a way for students to pay it back and pay it forward to others interested in the culture, language, and study abroad.
My project consists of 5 months from January til May 2014, 10 events and having 2 events per month. The goal of my plan is to unite people in my community of Mount Pleasant with similar yet broad interests relating to Japanese language and culture.
I plan to utilize my many contacts within the community as well as in Japan to create a sub-community where children, students, and other community members can connect with one another in a previously difficult environment.
As it stands now, there are small pockets of people in various demographics that are interested in Japan, but they are mostly unconnected. I want to create a sub-community within our community such as is found in places like Novi, Michigan that have a higher population of Japanese.
I plan to do this through various events that would interest various demographics, such as working with children through the public library to host a Children's Day event which is a holiday in Japan celebrating children.
I also want to create a strong network for students planning to study Japanese, or study abroad in Japan since this will be beneficial for their future plans to have others they can rely on for information, language practice and to give them a heads up on many parts of the process that are lesser known. It is a monumental thing to have others to look for advice from in my opinion.
I know I asked my friend and classmate who went to Nara just before me tons of questions via Facebook about the study abroad process, what to expect etc. and he was sooo helpful. See, I like to know those niggling little details about almost everything before I do it so I know what to expect and can be properly prepared. He helped me so much so far!
Even events like the Japanese business etiquette one I have planned will benefit people who may not traditionally have much interest in Japan, but rather they may work for a company that often interacts with Japanese people and may need to be aware of simple customs that make transactions more smooth and culturally understanding.
So, I have been gathering up my contact lists, planning out the dates that seem to work best tentatively to do these events and trying to figure out who to contact for guest speakers, invite, and otherwise organizing all of the details for this project so that it will be ready to put into action when I return home before the spring semester.
I will upload a tentative schedule as soon as I have it better figured out so that you can see the events I have planned.
If you have ideas, or want to become involved in these events please email me at breen1ak@cmich.edu
I. GOALS for the Service Project
Map Of Japan
I have been fastidiously working on my follow on project for the Gilman award which is basically expanding on the simple outline of the project I proposed before I was awarded the scholarship. The project basically is a way for students to pay it back and pay it forward to others interested in the culture, language, and study abroad.
 |
| Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center traditional gardens |
My project consists of 5 months from January til May 2014, 10 events and having 2 events per month. The goal of my plan is to unite people in my community of Mount Pleasant with similar yet broad interests relating to Japanese language and culture.
I plan to utilize my many contacts within the community as well as in Japan to create a sub-community where children, students, and other community members can connect with one another in a previously difficult environment.
As it stands now, there are small pockets of people in various demographics that are interested in Japan, but they are mostly unconnected. I want to create a sub-community within our community such as is found in places like Novi, Michigan that have a higher population of Japanese.
 |
| The Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center festival 2012 |
I plan to do this through various events that would interest various demographics, such as working with children through the public library to host a Children's Day event which is a holiday in Japan celebrating children.
I also want to create a strong network for students planning to study Japanese, or study abroad in Japan since this will be beneficial for their future plans to have others they can rely on for information, language practice and to give them a heads up on many parts of the process that are lesser known. It is a monumental thing to have others to look for advice from in my opinion.
 |
| Inside the traditional Tea House Saginaw Michigan's Japanese Cultural Center |
I know I asked my friend and classmate who went to Nara just before me tons of questions via Facebook about the study abroad process, what to expect etc. and he was sooo helpful. See, I like to know those niggling little details about almost everything before I do it so I know what to expect and can be properly prepared. He helped me so much so far!
Even events like the Japanese business etiquette one I have planned will benefit people who may not traditionally have much interest in Japan, but rather they may work for a company that often interacts with Japanese people and may need to be aware of simple customs that make transactions more smooth and culturally understanding.
So, I have been gathering up my contact lists, planning out the dates that seem to work best tentatively to do these events and trying to figure out who to contact for guest speakers, invite, and otherwise organizing all of the details for this project so that it will be ready to put into action when I return home before the spring semester.
 |
| Origami making at the International Expo 2013 |
I will upload a tentative schedule as soon as I have it better figured out so that you can see the events I have planned.
If you have ideas, or want to become involved in these events please email me at breen1ak@cmich.edu
I. GOALS for the Service Project
The goals for the service project will encompasses several goals into 10 events from January through May.
1. To create a sub-community resource for Mount Pleasant residents interested in Japan.
2. This resource would better enable them to connect and network with one another and fulfil goals such as study abroad in Japan with mentors for assistance.
3. To fulfill my follow on service project and better my community.
4. To inspire interest, educate and generate discussion at all age levels and demographics that centers on Japanese language and culture
5. To create long lasting friendships and mentoring relationships for future events, projects, classes, clubs, and study abroad.
6. To strengthen Mount Pleasant's connection to and awareness of Okaya Japan and the sister city relationship.
II. The Events, a General Tentative Outline, Please let me know if and how you would like to assist or participate:
1. January 5th or 11th- A New Year Celebration with a bento lunch making workshop and exploration of traditional and modern New Years celebration in Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics covered.
2. January 18th or 25th - Biophilia and Agricultural practices of rural and urban areas of Japan, discussion of Shinto religion's role in Biophilia in Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics.
3. February 1- Guest speakers talk and answer questions about Japanese business etiquette, differences in business culture, and the businesses and trades Japan is known for. Book recommendations and references on the topics covered.
4. February 22-Regions of Japan. Locals and visitors of various regions of Japan show and tell the many interesting variations of food, and culture of Japan including our sister city Okaya Japan, book recommendations and references on the topics.
5. March 8- Live video Q&A with expatriates in Japan, anyone hoping to travel, live in or study abroad in Japan is highly encouraged to come prepared with questions for the expatriates who can talk about and ask questions about life abroad in Japan.
6. March 29- Popular culture of Japan. Many foreigners and Japanese alike are drawn to popular culture like anime(tion), manga, and music genres such as visual kei, , book recommendations and references on the topics.
7. April 12- Take a trip to the Japanese Cultural Center to view the Japanese gardens, and tea house, watch a traditional tea ceremony and learn more about traditional Japan.
8. April 26 or 27- Hanami at Nelson Park. Hanami is flower viewing and a very celebrated time in Japan where locals go to the cherry blossom trees sit under them and picnic with friends and family and have a good time. Our cherry blossom trees at Nelson park are a gift from our sister city Okaya. We will be making bento lunches before going to the park.
9. May 5- Children's Day is a holiday in Japan that celebrates children. This event will include rotating workshops where children can learn and interact with fun learning. Workshops may include how to use chopstick games, riceball making, Japanese storybooks, calligraphy, origami, dress up in a yukata or kimono, wind sock making, and prizes, book recommendations and references on the topics.
10. May 10- End of service project/CMU's semester finale festival. This will be a mini festival which will include booths for information on opportunities to study abroad in Japan, Japanese language classes offered, clubs relating to Japanese culture (such as the Japanese Language Group, Anime Club, Kendo club, Karate club, Judo club, and the like), dancing and performances, food, calligraphy, have your name painted in Japanese, music, and resource materials.
Map Of Japan
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| Nara City is the red dot within Nara Prefecture on a map of Japan |
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