Published September 19, 2019 by David Yang ’22

Bowdoin Japanese Program Welcome Party

On September 19, the Bowdoin Japanese Program started off the new semester with its annual welcome party in the Hutchinson Room of Thorne Dining Hall.

Japanese Welcome Party — Student ended the Japanese program welcome party doing the sanbonjime (三本締め) hand clapping.

Professor Hiroo Aridome, senior lecturer in Japanese language, opened the party by leading everyone in singing “Saraba." The host of the night was third-year Japanese student Bryan Vargas ’21.

Japanese language students introduced professors and program supporters: Henry Laurence, Vyjayanthi Selinger, Naomi Tanabe, John Kim, Aki Nakai, Aridome, and Anna san. The Japanese students and Japanese language teaching assistants were also introduced—Shayna Olsan ’20, Nana Hayami ’22, Taiga Kagitomi ’22, Rintaro Komori ’20, Jingrui Lin ’22, and Rose Xi ’22. Shayna talked about the Japanese Student Association and their plans of activities to come.

Japanese program alum Marty Dang ’18 made a surprise appearance. Yujin Moon ’20 talked about the Japanese contest in Boston and her experience writing an award-winning essay in Japanese. Bethany Berharus ’20 (Sophia University), Dylan Atencio ’20 (KCJS), and Howard Wu ’22 (HIF) shared their experiences studying abroad in Japan during the past year. Rosemary Nguyen ’21 (who is studying in Kyoto) and Hikmah Okoya ’20 invited students to join the Bowdoin Anime Club. Finally, Emma Kellogg ’20 and Izzy Halle ’20 talked about the Oshietai program and teaching Japanese language to local elementary school children.

The welcome party ended with everyone doing the sanbonjime (三本締め) hand clapping. Students and professors alike enjoyed themselves greatly.