If you study abroad with JCMU, you can participate in a wide array of activities at our campus and in the Shiga area. To showcase just how much you can do in Hikone, our Student Services Coordinator, Yasuhiko Harada, created a list of events/activities that students participated in last month.
September is the start of sweater weather in Shiga Prefecture, but that just means it’s the perfect temperature to get out and explore the area! From the start of the fall semester program to practicing zen at a nearby temple, discover all that our students were up to last month.
Events at JCMU
September 4th
Fall/Academic Year Language & Culture program students arrive in Hikone!
Kokunai Ryugaku program starts
– For Japanese students studying English at JCMU in Hikone
September 5th
Language & Culture program general orientation
Homestay Information Session
– Both weekend and long-term homestays available
Welcome snack party
– For both Japanese and English language students
September 6th
Japanese class orientation, placement exam
– Results posted later in the day
Homestay interviews start
– For students interested in a long-term homestay
September 7th
First day of Japanese class
Internship information session
– JCMU offers unpaid community internships available to all Language & Culture program students
– Great opportunity to immerse yourself in the Hikone community, improve your Japanese, and bolster your resume!
– Internships in the past have included English language classrooms, grocery stores, and more
Homestay interviews continue
– For students interested in a long-term homestay
September 8th
JCMU Fall Semester Opening Ceremony
Michigan-Shiga 50th Anniversary Ceremony
September 11th
Maibara High School English session
– Local high school students meet with semester study abroad students
Biwako Broadcasting Company (BBC) interview
September 12th
Mandatory fire drill
– Hosted by the Hikone Fire Department
September 13th
English Program Wednesday Night Activity
– Speed friending! Our Japanese and American participants were brought together to learn more about each other.
September 15th
1st Japanese weekly exam
Friday Japanese cultural activity
– Learn about and create your own Kado arrangement (Japanese-style flower arrangement)
September 17th
Aya Watanabe Lecture/Soprano recital at Hikone Bunka Plaza
– She will do an outreach concert (free) at JCMU Apple hall from 4PM
– Ms. Watanabe is JCMU Student Services Coordinator Yasuhiko Harada’s voice teacher!
September 18th
National Holiday: Respect for the Aged Day
– No class!
September 22nd
2nd Japanese weekly exam
Long-term homestays start
Friday Japanese cultural activity
– Learning to play the koto (Japanese traditional harp)
September 25th
Trip to Hikone Castle, Genkyuen garden
September 28th
Job shadowing (one day internships)
– Organized by the Hikone Chamber of Commerce and Industry
September 29th
3rd Japanese weekly exam
Friday Japanese cultural activity
– Participating in a Japanese tea ceremony
Events in the Hikone/Shiga Area
Until September 2nd
September 9th
Michigan-Shiga 50th Anniversary Ceremony
– At the Otsu Prince Hotel
Korei Festival
– At the Taga Grand Shinto Shrine
September 10th
Zen practice at Seiryoji Temple near Hikone Station
– Admission is free with prior reservation!
– Includes a tea ceremony, kyogen (Japanese traditional comedy theater), zazen practice, and a tea celebration
September 17th
“Kimono de LUNCH” event in Otsu
– 5800 yen total, and includes: kimono wearing experiences, specially prepared lunch, and a ride on the Michigan Boat on Lake Biwa
Farmers market at Shiga Gokoku Shinto Shrine
– In front of Hikone Castle
Zen practice at Seiryoji Temple near Hikone Station
September 28th
Choushoin Temple nightime zazen practice
June 21st to October 8th
Special exhibition at the Kyoto University Museum
– Exhibition title: “The history of zoological science study at Kyoto University according to zoological and botanical specimen”
Until October 11th
Special exhibition at the Hikone Castle Museum
– Exhibition title: Miyabina Asobi (Gracious Play)
July 18th to October 15th
Special Exhibition at the National Museum of Art, Osaka
– Collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Bruegel’s “The Tower of Babel”
Until October 15th
Special Exhibition at the Nagoya-Boston Museum
– Exhibition title: “Parisienne”
Until month of November
Until November 5th
Hokkoku Kaido Ando family Koran-House special opening
– The house is located in the Nagahama Kurokabe area
– If you’ve never been to Nagahama before, make sure to check it out!
Until December 3rd
Murasaki Shikibu Exhibition at Ishiyama Temple
Until December 10th
Hikone 410 years Anniversary Festival
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple special opening
– Hieizan Enryakuji temple is very important temple in the history of Japanese Buddhism