A Look Inside GPC’s Japan Society
From the left back: Atticus Williams, Brandon Haywood. Photo by Tornay Khounxay
By Farhin Lilywala
Arigatou. This phrase means thank you in Japanese. Unlike fellow students in the GPC Japan Society Club, this is most likely the extent of most GPC students’ knowledge about Japan.
The club seeks to establish identity by immersing students in the Japanese culture. Out of the numerous clubs on campus, Japan Society is extremely dedicated to its mission.
“Even if the students are not interested in Japan’s culture, we will still educate or give an idea of how interesting Japan really is,” said Tornay Khounxay, club president.
Muhammad Rizky Suwoto, club member, added, “I only expect the members to have as much fun as they can, and of course gain some information about the Japanese culture itself.”
In order to achieve this, the club holds meetings every Tuesday from 11:30 to 12:30 in CN-2210. The Japan Society also conducts several events throughout the year: movie screenings, demonstrations for International Student Week, such as calligraphy and origami, visiting a Japanese restaurant, and even a bento box competition, when they create decorative bento boxes with onigiri and rice foods.
To ensure that these events occur, Japan Society needs consistent participation.
“Not our member participation, but just getting people to sign up for things,” said Nhi Thanh Le Tran, who joined in Fall 2013.
“We have plenty of activities like a Japanese restaurant visit, Japanese movie screenings, speakers who will talk about topics like calligraphy or archery, but it’s a bit difficult to get people to sign up
for them.”
In fact, according to Joshua Parker, vice president, to become a part of Japan Society, “All you have to do is come to the meetings, and participate.”
For more information, contact Tornay Khounxay at khounxay@student.gpc.edu.
Farhin Lilywala 