26 June 2015: Guest Speaker - Professor Brown

Today, the students attended their normal language and topic classes before enjoying some recreation time during which some auditioned for the upcoming Variety Show, which is sure to be an entertaining display of their varied talents and interests. In the evening, Professor Brown, a guest speaker who teaches East Asian studies at Randolph-Macon College, educated the students on Japanese religious and spiritual traditions. In particular, Shinto and Zen Buddhism were highlighted. After that, everybody attended the nightly meeting and proceeded to return to their rooms to study for the next day's classes.

- Harry San

25 June 2015: Yakisoba Day

Today, in addition to a full day of Japanese, students had their first experience with preparing a Japanese cuisine.  After learning how to prepare the dish, a group of students taught the rest of the academy how to cook Yakisoba.

24 June 2015: Daruma Dolls

After a long day of classes, the students were able to bring out their creative and artistic sides by making Daruma dolls. Traditionally known as wish dolls, the Daruma's represent a monk that meditated for so long he lost the ability to move his limbs. The doll is first purchased with one eye colored to mark the beginning of the owners journey of working towards his wish. If the wish on the doll comes true, the owner colors in the other eye of the doll to symbolize the completion of his or her journey. If the wish doesn't come true then the doll is burned at the new year and the wish is considered a bad wish. With a base of a blown up ballon, the students used paper mache to create a sphere that will later be painted either the traditional red or a color of the students choice. Make sure to take a look at the finished product when you see your student again in two and a half weeks!

-Parrish San

23 June 2015: Maymont Park

Today, the students took a visit to the Japanese Garden located in Maymont Park. Although the temperatures were super high, everyone managed to have a good time and had the opportunity to take in the view that the garden had to offer. Japanese gardens on the surface don't appear to be all that decorative. However, unlike a typical garden's aesthetic, the goal is to make the area appear completely natural. We learned that nothing within the garden exists without meaning and purpose. We all ate lunch and admired the scenery and then came back to the dorms to study and work on upcoming projects. 

- Maggie San

22 June 2015: Recreation

Recreation time is when the gakusei (students) go to the Randolph Macon Gym to play sports and hang out with friends. Some students went running around the track, while others played pool or cards. There was also a big volleyball game and a group of students worked to put up the net to volley. Laughs were shared and bonds were built. The teamwork and energy of the students was shining through.

21 June 2015: The First Day

On the first day of the Academy the students played some icebreakers to get to know each other. It was a day full of laughs and breaking the silence. There was awkward hand shakes and shoe throwing. The day also involved learning the rules and getting to know the staff a little bit more. This was a great start to an exciting three weeks.

2015 PARENTS: Student Check in and Open Ceremony

Dear Japanese Academy Parents,

This is a reminder that tomorrow, Sunday, June 21 is the beginning of your child's journey at the Governor's Language Japanese Academy. The entire staff is excited to meet your children and explore Japanese language and culture together. Tomorrow will be a very busy day, in order to avoid confusion I am sending the planned schedule for Check-in and the Opening Ceremony. 

• 12:00 - 1:00: Student Check-in at Andrews Hall 
• 1:30 - 2:30: Opening Ceremony at Blackwell Auditorium

Check in will be in the lobby of Andrews Hall and there will be academy staff waiting for you to check in your children. Resident advisor (RA) staff will also be present to assist with move in. The staff will be wearing the Japanese Academy T-shirts, so we will be easy to find. There will be a limited number of carts available for move in. 

The schedule departure time for the parents is at the end of the opening ceremony.   Please make sure your children have all of their belongings in their room before the opening ceremony, additionally please be sure you have collected your child's wifi-accessible electronic devices (laptop, tablet, cell phone, etc.). 

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask. 

A few reminders:

• If you were contacted to bring extra documents please bring them. 
• Please do not forget that your child needs quarters to do his or her laundry.
• Also, the dorm rooms are very cold so be sure to bring extra blankets or warm pajamas for the building.