Kakehashi Project 2022

The Department of Asian Languages & Cultures was awarded a unique opportunity for nine students and one staff member, to participate on the 2002 Kakehashi Project, funded in full by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The trip in Japan was conducted from November 14-22, 2022. The cohort traveled to Tokyo and the Yamagata Prefecture. Please read on for insights from each participant on the 2022 project.

We would like to thank all of the staff and administrators from the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) who took care of our schedule and program details. A big shout out to our program coordinator Ms. Mayumi Tomioka, who was with us every day until our departure… thank you for your patience and guidance! We would also like to thank the Bird Fund for their gift to purchase omiyage to present to administrators and homestay families. The International Division ensured that our program met all criteria to travel to Japan during the semester–thank you for your support of this opportunity. Finally, to our Japanese language faculty and staff — ありがとうございました — because of your training the UW-Madison students met all expectations and were excellent ambassadors of the Japanese language program and the University of Wisconsin. 

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Leo Alfaro

BS, Computer Science, with a Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication, Junior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
On this trip, I was hoping to experience the everyday life of a Japanese family outside of the city. Social media often only displays the bright and busy side of Japan, so seeing the rural side is what I looked forward to the most.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
The most impactful part of the program for me was being able to stay with a host family. Although it was only for a short time, we were able to experience and see the lives of many different hard-working Japanese citizens.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
The high point for me was being able to go into the National Diet Building. I had often seen photos and videos of the National Diet Building on social media and videogames, so it was awesome to not only see it in person but go inside.How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
Being able to go to Japan and participate in a wide variety of experiences made me realize just how much there is to Japan outside of what social media often displays. I want to go back to not only return to some of my favorite places, but to also see just what new things I can find.

My thanks to…
I want to thank the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for making this trip possible and for giving me a lifetime of experiences that I will never forget. I also what to thank the Japanese International Cooperation Center for coordinating the trip and making it very educational and fun.

Will Cerne

BS, Mathematics, and Physics, with a Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication, Junior 

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
I was hoping to experience what day-to-day life was like in various parts of Japan. I am going to Japan for graduate school (granted I get accepted), so I was curious as to what life is like in Japan. Also I was looking forward to speaking a lot of Japanese.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
For me it was the times when were were able to walk freely around and explore various parts of Japan. I went off on my own a few times and I got to (as much as I could) try and see how I would be treated, what there was offered, and how life would be like if I were to live in Japan. Overall I had a very good impression when I explored by myself in Japan.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
Early in the trip one afternoon we went to Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Takeshita Street with Japanese college students walking around with us. For me this was a high point because I got to finally use all of the Japanese I had been studying for 2 years at that point to go out and have a fun day with Japanese students. It was a very fun and rewarding experience.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
I was already fairly certain I wanted to go to Tokyo University to become a graduate student of Cosmology, but this trip cemented that desire. In 2 years I will move to Japan to begin my graduate studies at Tokyo University (again granted I get accepted). This program would last 5 years.

My appreciation…
Thank you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for funding this incredible opportunity. I never thought I would have the opportunity to experience Japan so early into my studies, and it was a life-changing experience that cemented my decision to do my graduate studies in Japan. Thank you to JICE for their warm-heartedness and helpful translations, guides, and friendship. The trip would not have been the same if the JICE staff members were not there.

Amanda Koch

Amanda painting her Sasano Ittobori (Otaka-poppo).

BA, International Studies, and Japanese, Junior

Emily Olsem

BA, Japanese, with a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, Senior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
Since I wasn’t able to study abroad because of COVID last year, I was just hoping to experience a little bit of what living in Japan might be like and what Japanese culture is really like outside of the classroom. I was really excited to be able to not only visit Tokyo, but have the chance to visit the countryside in Yamagata Prefecture and see what Japan is like outside of their large cities. Also, I was looking forward to using my Japanese language skills in the native-language environment to really see how much my language skills have progressed.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
The part that had the largest impact on me during this program was the homestay experience in Yonezawa City. I was able to meet Mariko and her lovely family and just loved being able to make a closer connection with them and learn about their lives. My group and I got to have some homegrown fruits and homemade dishes while sitting around a kotatsu in Mariko’s beautiful home and was able to visit a few places, like an artisan’s workshop to try weaving thin pieces of vine together to create little key chains. I will always be grateful for this experience.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
Outside of the homestay experience, one of the best experiences during the program was visiting the different temples and shrines in Tokyo and Yonezawa. I’ve always been interested in these types of sites in Japan, so visiting them was so interesting! I was able to learn about the different rules and expectations that come with visiting these places and also about things like omamori, which are little good luck charms to carry with you.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
This experience has just made me more excited to continue with my plans on becoming an English teacher in Japan and to just in general visit Japan again and again. I really fell in love with the Japanese countryside, so I hope to be able to live and work in one of those regions after I graduate in the spring!

Expression of gratitude:
I would like to thank JICE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs again and again for funding and organizing this trip for not only our group, but for all the students that have been welcomed to Japan through this program. It was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had and was able to experience and learn so much through this program. I will always be grateful that I was able to travel to these places and meet so many new people. Thank you!

Neha Prasad

BS, Neurobiology, Psychology, with a Certificate in Japanese Professional Communication

What was the most impactful part of the program?
The trip to Yamagata prefecture and our stay in Yonezawa city as a whole was probably the most impactful part of the program. I would say it was where we were able to actually dive into Japanese history, culture, and the arts. Particularly during the homestays we took part in on our last day there, we got to experience Japanese lifestyles and culture firsthand.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
We went to Aqua City in Odaiba, Tokyo on our last night in Japan and while we walked around we found an arcade. I spent a good amount of money and had fun, especially playing this one game with Taiko drums. Unfortunately, I did not win at the claw machines that day.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
Well, the sights were deeply impressionable and I hope to someday visit the places I saw during the Kakehashi program. I was able to make a lovely connection with my host family in Yonezawa City, so I would love to go back and visit them. If possible I would also like to visit other parts of Japan (there are too many to name a specific one). If there’s ever a chance that my future career brings me to Japan, I will gladly welcome it.

A note of thanks…
I would like to thank Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICE for giving me the wonderful opportunity of participating in the Kakehashi Project. It was an eye-opening experience full of memorable moments and individuals. I’d like to extend my gratitude to Tomioka-san, our chaperone, Yamato-san and Konno-san, as well Aoki-san for our time in Yonezawa. As well as the many other wonderful people that took care of us and made our trip possible. I’d also like to thank my host family, Mariko-san, Yusuke, Hafiz and the rest of the Higuchi family for their time and trying to give us the best experience possible of life in Yonezawa.

Satiya Samlal

BA, Asian Languages & Cultures — East Asian Studies, with certificates in Digital Studies, Environmental Studies, Digital Studies, Senior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
During the program, I was hoping to experience cultural immersion by learning more about Japan’s arts, history, heritage, and religious practices. In addition to sharing my culture’s arts, heritage, and history. I also wanted to be exposed to Japanese society and language in ways I couldn’t in classes.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
The most impactful moments of the program for me was meeting our host family, visiting the shrines and temples, along with going to the museums. It must be said that the food was amazing!

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
Personally, the interactions I had with the people in Japan was very powerful for me. From meeting and spending time with the JICE staff, getting to know some of the college students who gave us tours at Meiji shrine and Shibuya, to meeting and spending the day with our host family, it was amazing to me. The interactions I had with them was the epitome of courtesy and kindness-an experience that can, at times, be few and far between for someone of my background. It was a far cry from some of the interactions I experience in the U.S. and this gives me a new perspective on the world as whole.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
After this experience I am more inclined to visit Japan than before. There are way more villages, nature preserves, cultural landmarks, and more for me to explore as I learn more about Japan’s history, politics, and society.

Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICE,
I appreciate your hard work and commitment to allow us to visit Japan. As you may know, a lot of us were unable to visit mainly due to the pandemic and other factors. After reflecting on our trip our interactions, your patience, consideration, and welcoming demeanor truly shines through and I really appreciate that. Your gratitude and kindness made my first time in Japan amazing and unforgettable, and for that I thank you.

Emily Takacs

BA, Communication Arts, with certificates in Computer Science and Japanese Professional Communication, Junior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
Get a better idea of how the day-to-day lifestyle works in Japan and how society norms are different.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
Traveling between our destinations was much more impactful than I imagined. The days were sometimes long, and many people in our group fell asleep on the bus and train. But I found it extremely hard to fall asleep because I was trying to take everything in. From seeing the vastly different city and landscapes to driving downtown and seeing people going about their lives, I couldn’t look away.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
Making our Otaka-poppos!

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
It made the idea of traveling to Japan much less intimidating. Now I know that I will make an effort to travel there again.

A Note of Thanks & Gratitude:
JICE and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were extremely helpful and kind from start to finish. I can’t thank you enough for this unique and unforgettable experience!

I never expected to become so close with my fellow classmates, but they feel like family! Congrats on your graduation Choua!!

Choua Thao

BA, Asian Languages & Cultures — East Asian Studies, Linguistics, Japanese, Senior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
One of the things I looked forward to the most was the homestay. There were a few reasons why I hoped to experience this particular activity. One, I knew there weren’t going to be any interpreters with us during the homestay, so we would have to depend on our own language skills. I wanted to challenge myself and figure out some of the things I needed to work on. Two, I wanted to see the inside of a Japanese house. Unlike the States, they had rooms with tatami mats, and the overall design of areas such as restrooms or kitchens are really different. Three, I wanted to experience some of the daily things of a Japanese person such as the food they eat, the work they do, and their interaction with the community. Last but not least, I looked forward to exchanging ideas and opinions with the host family.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
I think one of the most impactful part of the program for me was watching the performance of the Taiko drummers. One of the drums they had was a really huge drum, bigger than the players themselves. There was a point in the performance where four older middle aged women took turns playing on both sides of the single drum with impressively fierce strength. I was awestruck with the amount of power and spirit they were putting into every hit. I could feel their spirit, energy, and passion through their playing. These women, their stature even smaller than me, were able to play such powerful sounds and made themselves heard. I admire their strength and the pride they take in their performance.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
In Yonezawa, Yamagata, our host father took us to climb up to a higher part of the mountains. When we got there, the scenery was nostalgic and beautiful beyond words. But the scenery was not what stuck with me the most. Our host father talked about life in the country and how isolating it can be. Then then told us that the one thing we should have in life is a purpose, small as it is, and without a purpose it can be suffocating and not worth living. Those words really struck me and was probably the most memorable moment for me. Connecting with my host father was probably one of the highest point for me. The reason is that we only had a day to bond. When we first met, we barely understood one another because of the language barrier. As we conversed more, I slowly began to get used to the speech so we gradually started making more conversation, and as a result we connected deeply by the end of the day. I could tell that his words were a reflection of his life, and it is something I take to heart.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
Because of the pandemic, I was not able to study abroad in Japan. My motivation and spirit was at an all time low, so haven partaken in the Kakehashi project reminded me of how far I came and the reason why I started studying Japanese language and culture in the first place. This experience motivated me to connect more with Japan. There are still so many things to learn and so many more people to connect with. I hope to return to Japan again whether as a grad student, professional, or tourist.

A Note of Gratitude…
I am so grateful towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICE for providing this opportunity. I learned so many things from the Japanese language and culture to technology and transportation. This was a very memorable trip for me and I hope to stay connected with Japan. I am incredibly lucky to have been a part of the program. Thank you to everyone involved in making this experience a reality. I also want to thank the individuals in UW-Madison group for making the trip so memorable and fun! I am so lucky to have connected with people who share common interests and passion.


Hailey Xiong

BS, Animal Sciences (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences), with a Certificate inJapanese Professional Communication, Junior

What were you hoping to experience during the program?
Before the program began, I was expecting intense Japanese conversations. In other words, I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to comprehend or exchange words correctly when using Japanese. I was also expecting to only stay in the city areas and learning more about modern technology or government official relationship building.

What was the most impactful part of the program?
The most impactful part of the program was experiencing daily life and winter preparation with our host families. When I had found out that we were getting host families, I was expecting there to be someone in the family who could understand English (even if it was only a little bit). However, this was not the case, which made the experience even more everlasting. It challenged me to think back to past grammar as well as creating accurate translations to help the others in my group.

I wasn’t expecting to do household chores or outside work as well. I found that part to be the most dissociating yet immersive experience. It really gave a sense of how similar yet different the people of Yonezawa go about their daily life.

Finally, despite the short time with the host family, they made an effort to teach us and make us feel like we were family. I have never had so many persimmons and apples in my life, so it was nice to feel loved and cared for in another country.

What experience during the program was a high point for you?
The best part of this program was watching the Taiko and Samurai performances. I have seen videos of these performances before, but to actually be there was an amazing experience. It felt almost unreal. A fever dream that I could be in Japan, in front of these performers, and not behind a screen. Plus, everyone who performed were so into their performances, you could really gain a sense of respect and admiration for what they put their energy into. Would love to see them perform again in the future, if it is possible.

How did this experience influence future plans to return to Japan?
I previously went to Japan during my senior year of high school. Therefore, I was thinking that this trip would be quite similar to what I experienced, however it would be more structured than my previous trip. Since I had been to some of the same places that we went to this time, I wasn’t expecting it to show or teach me new things. This in fact, was proven wrong. Despite going to the same or similar places, I was still able to learn new things and even enjoy it more than before.

That being said, I believe that with this experience, I can only enjoy Japan once more if I ever get the opportunity to go back. This trip that JICE had planned and provided, felt like a surface level introduction to Japan. Thus, it makes me curious as to what other hidden gems can be found. Especially the trip to Yonezawa, as it wasn’t in the main cities that foreigners would hear of.

A Note of Gratitude & Appreciation:
I am truly grateful for this opportunity! There are not enough words to explain how thankful I am that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICE had not only provided the means to enjoy Japan, but also creating a great one week schedule to touch almost every content available in Japan. From experiencing a big city to a smaller one, to a variety of meals and shrines to enhance my knowledge about Japan. It has yet to process in my mind, that I had gotten to experience a trip like this and it is all thanks to the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and JICE.

I struggle to find the correct words, but I couldn’t be more amazed and grateful for how well our UW Madison group had connected with each other. Couldn’t choose a better group to have experienced this wonderful trip with.