Kaneko Day Camp is coming this summer!  It is one of the highlights for many of the American Studies Program (ASP) students who are here in Salem.  Day Camp is a four-day cultural experience run by the students and staff at TIUA.  It  is an educational and fun way for children to get a taste of Japanese culture.  Some of the daily topics are:  origami, calligraphy, basic language instruction, songs, games, and dance.  For a photo gallery from last year's Day Camp, click here.

Campers are divided into groups of around 10 children and they each attend a variety of sessions during the week.  There are two age groups:  elementary school and middle school.

Scholarships are available to assist with tuition.

For more information and application forms, click here.

The Willamette University Japan Studies Student Leaders' Fourth Annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the coming of spring.  This year's festival took place on April 7, from noon-4pm,  in the CAT Cavern, University Center building.  The event was free and encouraged viewing of the cherry blossoms on campus and around Salem.  There was Japanese entertainment including Takohachi, a professional taiko drumming group, as well as the Willamette Taiko Club. There were food booths, karaoke, and activity booths.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the event.

This semester, Tokyo International University of America will be hiring College of Liberal Arts students to serve as tutors for the American Studies Programs students enrolled at TIUA. Although it is important that tutors have a good understanding of the subject areas in which they will be providing tutoring services, the most important quality a tutor must possess is strong communication skills. “The tutors need to have a solid understanding of English language fundamentals and to know how to communicate effectively with second language learners. A knowledge of Japanese is sometimes helpful, but not necessary. Overall, tutors need to be able to learn quickly, work effectively in a team environment, be able to work independently and have very good  communication skills” Director of Academic Programs at TIUA Jane Averill said.

Although students hired to participate in the TIUA tutoring program apply for and are notified of employment during the spring semester, employment in the position does not formally begin until the following fall semester. “During the spring semester when our American Studies Program (ASP) students are studying English skills, the newly hired tutors have the opportunity to shadow the current tutors. Then in the summer, they are required to complete a training program so they can be certified by the National Tutoring Association” Averill said.

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