Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • Testing
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us
Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Japan Expo offers cultural learning

    March 24, 2023
    UNG will host its first Japan Expo on April 4 at the Dahlonega Campus. The event will feature an industry panel, a tea ceremony, a koto instrumental performance, and refreshments.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    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

    "The idea of this event is so exciting. It highlights the growth of our Japanese language and East Asian studies programs," Nishio said. "It's great that we can now invite local Japanese companies to UNG to meet potential job candidates."

    The industry panel, set for 2 p.m., will include Kubota, Makita, YKK, and JTEKT, all of which are based in the north Georgia region. The tea ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m., followed by the musical performance at 3:30 p.m.

    Dr. Robin O'Day, associate professor of anthropology with a specialization in Japanese culture, looks forward to the Japan Expo.

    "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."

    Contact the Author

    Five cadets in top 10% nationally

    Five cadets in top 10% nationally

    Seventeen UNG cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2023-24 academic year, with five of them among the top 10% nationally of graduating active-duty-eligible cadets.
    Hartley promoted to lieutenant colonel

    Hartley promoted to lieutenant colonel

    Alumna Lt. Col. Stephanie Hartley was promoted to her current rank in a ceremony Aug. 12 at the Pennington Military Leadership Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
    Cadet earns scholarship from veterans' group

    Cadet earns scholarship from veterans' group

    Cadet Hyunbean Park has been selected as the annual UNG recipient of a scholarship from the Georgia Mountain Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, which recently hosted its annual meeting at UNG.
    HSDA, sociology degrees fully online

    HSDA, sociology degrees fully online

    UNG is offering both its bachelor's and master's degrees in human services delivery and administration fully online, as well as its bachelor's degree in sociology.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel