Freeman-ASIA Service Project: Blog Entry
As promised, I have completed my service project for Freeman-ASIA. I have gladly helped out a local organization (called JAPASO) at my Indiana University of PA college for a term. I also helped out the Office of International Affairs office at the college with the Study Aboard Fair and the Pre-Departure meeting for students who are going aboard in the Spring term of 2009. Four students will be heading to Japan next term. I had fun this term despite the fact that I was equally busy running around and getting ready for my graduation, but that's going off topic!
JAPASO was included in many culture events through the year. One of the first events of the fall term was a get together for all the international organizations. The organizations could bring in any kind of their nation's dishes and/or desserts. JAPASO and some of the American students/members had cooked and brought in Okonomiyaki, onigiri (or riceballs) and another dish which I have forgotten what it was! All the dishes were delicious and were all gone by the end of the party. Oh! The party took place in a park called Yellow Creek Park. There the Office of International Affairs were able to rent a large gazeebo for all the organizations.
Another event was the International Tea Party. Here the other culture organizations came together and showed off their countries little treats and the different kinds of teas the country had to offer. The JAPASO organization offered sweet and salty snacks and hot green tea as a drink. One of our members named Asuka brought in green tea pound cake near the end of the party. Everyone loved the cake! Too bad there wasn't enough to go around for everybody. Asuka said if she realized just how popular her cake was going to be, she would have brought in more of the tasty experimental dessert!
The next event was the Study Aboard Fair. I was stationed at the Study Aboard table and tried to get the students interested in studying aboard to different foreign countries, or more specifically, the country of Japan. When the students asked how I could afford to go to Japan, I jumped on the subject of Freeman-ASIA project and how this program gave me a check of $5,000 US dollars that helped me get what I needed for the trip. I also mentioned to them that this program was for students who were going to Asia specifically. I got some students really interested in studying aboard in Asia and a few for Japan!
The last event was the Pre-Departure meeting. This was for the students who were going to go and study aboard for the Spring Term of 2009. Erin (another Freeman-ASIA recipient) and I were at this meeting to try and answer the questions for the students who were going to go and study aboard in Japan. We gave them tips on traveling expanses, food to try, places that they MUST go and see and so much more! Almost makes me wish I could go back to Japan, too!
Well, that's that. I did the most I could in a short amount of time and spread the word of Asia, Japan and the Freeman-ASIA award program. Also if you want to check out some of my pictures from Japan you can go to the website below, enter my email address (blackchat31@yahoo.com) and the password which is ryudragon.
Website Address: http://www2.snapfish.com/welcomenphu
Enjoy and Ja ne! (See you later!)