Japan Expo offers cultural learning

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host its first Japan Expo from 2-4 p.m. April 4 at the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

An industry panel, a tea ceremony, a koto instrumental performance, and refreshments are part of the schedule for the event that will be held in the Don & Connie Cottrell Ballroom (room 172). UNG's Center for Global Engagement, Japanese language program and Career Services are partnering on the expo.

"We chose to feature Japan because it is one of UNG's strategic partner countries due to the strength of our academic programs, the location of key Japanese industries near our campuses and its large immigrant population in Georgia," Sheila Schulte, associate vice president for international programs, said. "I hope our students will enjoy learning about global industries located in north Georgia while having the chance to learn more about Japanese culture."

UNG offers a bachelor's degree in East Asian studies with Japanese as one of three possible concentrations. The university also has a minor in Japanese. Both of those programs became possible after a $400,000 grant from the Japan Foundation in 2016. Dr. Tomoe Nishio, associate professor of Japanese, marvels at UNG's growth in that seven-year period.

This is a good opportunity for our students to make a practical connection with their education. It helps them know the kind of opportunities that exist locally to connect with Japan. It's another way we can develop our program and connect with these companies.

Dr. Robin O'Day

UNG associate professor of anthropology

"This is a good opportunity for our students to make a practical connection with their education. It helps them know the kind of opportunities that exist locally to connect with Japan," O'Day said. "It's another way we can develop our program and connect with these companies. We can let them know that we're here and what we're doing."

Sophie Monsibais, a 2019 UNG graduate from Gainesville, Georgia, with a degree in art marketing, has served as a full-time employee, intern and volunteer at various times with the Japan-American Society of Georgia (JASG) in the past few years. JASG is a nonprofit with the mission to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the state of Georgia. Monsibais appreciates the perspective the expo can offer.

"It's good for people to have a broad view of Japan," she said. "The expo should give students a realistic understanding of many aspects of Japanese culture."

UNG students studying Japanese will often study abroad, and the expo will emphasize the importance of such experiences.

"We want students to see how they can parlay their experiences abroad to help their career," O'Day said. "When they apply to jobs with these companies, language ability and cultural experience can be unique ways to plug into the work environment or culture."