Let's Talk Japan Club (Ages 14+)

This class is an ongoing course that provides a safe space (similar to that of an after school club) for students interested in Japan to come together and discuss each week’s topic. We all come from different backgrounds and have varying perspectives and diverse interests. This class will encourage each student to share their perspective and learn from others’ experiences. Each week, Sam or I will share slides during the session to engage students on a wide range of Japan-related topics and share some of our own stories/experiences. You can find the week’s topic in the list at the bottom of this description. We cover topics ranging from uniforms in Japanese schools to vending machines in the middle of nowhere!

Who are “we”?
Sam and I (Tyler) are the two mentors for the Let’s Talk Japan Club. We enjoy talking about all things Japan with whoever will listen, and we love sharing our stories as well as hearing more about yours! Both of us found our way to Japan in completely different ways and we think our respective paths are awesome opportunities for us to share with you, learn from each other, and grow individually and as a community. 

Sam, born to a Japanese mother, and raised in a partially Japanese household, rediscovered his passion for education and exploring different aspects of Japan while studying at UC Davis and eventually while living in the lovely island of Awajishima, teaching Japanese youth. If you get the chance, make sure to ask him about his “Kikkake” and you might get the chance to hear more about his story as well as his favorite Japanese word!

I (Tyler), on the other hand, didn’t discover Japan until I was in high school. I spent the bulk of my childhood living between Seattle, San Francisco, Maryland, and Illinois. After learning about the various perspectives that existed throughout the US, I found myself in a new high school, living with students from all over the world and was afforded the opportunity to take Japanese. Just like that, the world as I knew it increased tenfold and ever since I’ve spent my time seeking out new cultures and people to learn from, whether that be in rural Japan or backpacking through Myanmar. 

What are some of our topics? We’ll update these as we go, but below are some of the topics we’ll start with. 

TUESDAY SCHEDULE
Jul 6 - The Basics of Japanese Schools (Pt. 1): Uniforms 
Jul 13 - Vending Machines!
Jul 20 - The Basics of Japanese Schools (Pt. 2): School Schedule
Jul 27 - Currency in Japan
Aug 3 - Characters/Mascots (Yuru Kyara!)
Aug 10 - Shinkansen (Bullet trains)
Aug 17 - Karate
Aug 24 - Ryokan (Japanese Inn)
Aug 31 - Japanese sweets
Sept 7 - The Basics of Japanese Schools (Pt. 3): Undokai (Sports Festival)
Sept 14 - Recycling in Japan
Sept 21 - Onsen (Japanese Hot Spring)
Sept 28 - Kyudo (Japanese archery)