WMU, Kalamazoo College, partner for Japanese language and culture event
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Haenicke Institute for Global Education announces the 2025 Japanese Culture and Language Presentations. The event, which features student research, will be held on Jan. 16 from 4:15-6 p.m. at Kalamazoo College’s Dewing Hall, Room 103.
WMU's Soga Japan Center and Kalamazoo College are partnering to offer this event in-person for the first time.
“The main purpose is to let students learn about Japanese language and culture while having fun out of classroom," says Michiko Yoshimoto, Japan program manager at The Haenicke Institute.
“Participants can learn which aspects of Japanese culture university students like or are interested in. It's an opportunity to make new discoveries and connections through Japanese language and culture.”
This year’s speakers include:
WMU Student Nicole Harms on horror
K College Student Tyler Houle on language and J-Pop culture
WMU Student Dylan Lim on Japanese history
K College Student Noah Chukwuma on Japanese integrated healthy practices
WMU Student Lataevaya Severe on the Japanese theater
Each presentation is expected to run for about 10-minutes with a 5-minute question and answer session. Seats are limited and registration is required.
The Soga Japan Center is part of the Haenicke Institute’s Asian Initiatives, which aims to enhance scholarship and promote knowledge of East Asia through language and cultural programming at WMU and throughout Southwest Michigan.
The Soga Japan Center regularly invites scholars, artists and writers to campus to promote the appreciation of Japanese language and culture.
For more information about this event, contact Yoshimoto at @email.
About The Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western Michigan University community. Its offices assist more than 1,170 international students on campus and nearly 1,000 WMU degree-seeking students studying at partner institutions in China and Taiwan.
The Institute facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It also hosts a variety of global learning activities to encourage a more globally engaged Southwest Michigan. These initiatives include designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities at WMU; providing outreach to area K-12 schools; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world.
More information at www.wmich.edu/global.
