BRIDGE PROGRAM 2019
Eighteen high school students, who have been admitted by Tohoku University, participated in the Bridge Program at UCR Extension Center from March 3rd to March 16th. This opportunity presented many occasions to learn about multiculturalism and diversity in the United States and gave students unique opportunities to meet Japanese researchers/professors at UCR. Professor Yamanaka from the department of Entomology talked about his research on fruit flies and shared his personal experiences as a researcher in the United States. On the final day, students presented what they had learned during their visit, receiving high evaluations!
JAPANESE GARDEN in RIVERSIDE
Celebrating more than 60 years of friendship between Sendai and Riverside, the City of Riverside restored the Japanese Garden at the White Park dedicated to the City of Sendai. Three Japanese Niwashi (Landscapers) were invited from Sendai to come to redesign the garden and the Tohoku University Center participated in its restoration as well. The Tohoku University Center organized a UCR student committee and helped the Japanese Landscapers throughout their restoration. The garden looks even more beautiful and authentic! If you ever have an opportunity to come to Riverside, please stop by this Japanese Garden!
INNOVATIVE RIVERSIDE
It has been 5 years since the Exploring-Germination-and-Growth program for young Scientists at Tohoku University established a relationship with the Riverside STEM Academy (RSA)! The Tohoku University Center had a Tohoku University booth at RSA's “Innovative Riverside” event that took place in downtown Riverside on May 18th. Many people stopped by our booth to learn about Sendai and Tohoku University and its relationship with Riverside.
16 Hours Away
My interest was sparked when my Japanese professor mentioned an opportunity to participate in an email exchange program with students from Tohoku University. My partner and I shared our life experiences, among other things, with one another and I was given the opportunity to briefly meet him when he visited UC Riverside. I first chose to participate in the email exchange program with the Tohoku students because I will be studying abroad for a school year at a university in Japan. The reason I chose to participate in these various opportunities is that they presented me with the ability to learn more about different cultures and improve my cross-cultural sensitivity. The motivations that led me to participate in the TUJP program are many, of which the main factors are: my experiences interacting with the Tohoku students were enjoyable and short-lived – I wanted to do something like that again – and because I am interested in learning foreign languages and studying other cultures. As a student at UC Riverside, I felt compelled to participate in this opportunity to learn more about the sister city of Riverside, Sendai, and to further strengthen the relationship between the two cities. This experience was truly eye-opening for me as I got to make lasting relationships and it inspired me to participate in the TUJP program at Tohoku University. I cannot wait to visit the friends that I made last March, and to meet new people when I visit in July.
By Harrison Liang
Economics and Political Science/International Affairs Major
University of California, Riverside
- Contact
- Reiko Sato
Specially Appointed Associate Professor
University of California, Riverside, U.S.A.
Email: reiko.sato*ucr.edu (Please replace asterisk with @)