Journey to Japan: One Student’s Path to Finding Kaizen

 

January 19, 2018

Cedar City, Utah

Author: Lorianne Hammer

Category: Academics

 

Almost a year ago Lorianne Hammer, a current student of Southern Utah University, completed a year-long journey on the islands of Japan, and returned home with new experiences and insights. This journey to self-discovery began and ended at the Las Vegas Airport in March 2016 and ending February 2017. Working with the amazing staff of the Global Engagement Center she planned out and proposed an individualized EDGE project highlighting her desire to explore the world and the people who inhabit it. She spent 12 wonderful months with the incredible faculty and students of Hokkaido University of Education - Hakodate Campus learning the language and culture of Japan.

 

During her stay she took part in several cultural studies including the traditional tea ceremony of Japan and traditional flower arrangement. Mornings were spent learning the language and afternoons were used to practice in everyday situations. Most of this practice was with fellow classmates and small interactions with native Japanese citizens. She was also able to participate in several festivals, her favorite being the New Year’s Festival. However one of the most compelling memories was a visit to the Hiroshima memorial. She found this visit particularly special as it holds a tragic part in the shared history of Japan and America. Of the experience she said: “I hope that we can learn from the mistakes of the past, everything changes in a moment, and that’s really all we need to create better ones of understanding and acceptance, not intolerance.” Moving on she hopes to better understand multiple cultures and people from around the world so that she can help shape the world into a positive future.

 

This journey was made possible with the aid of the Southern Utah University Global Engagement Center and the EDGE Department. Both Offices work with students to create tailor-made excursions which help the student gain real life experience in both national and international situations. Students spend upwards of 40 hours working on a project to ensure that they have the best experience possible and to guarantee that the skills they acquire are ones that they will be able to access and improve upon in any future endeavors. ###

 

Lorianne Hammer

Phone: 435.572.5862

Email: loriannehammer@suumail.net

Address: 433 Circleway Drive,

               Cedar City, Utah 84720

Website: http://lehammerkaizen.wixsite.com/kaizen-journey