From America_Study at University of Saint Joseph_2

Friday, July 29^th, 2016

In the early morning, it rained here in Hartford, so it was cool and comfortable. But around noon, the sky got back into clear and blue with refreshing summer breeze.  Otsuma Students looked fine and good recovering themselves from their jet lag.

In the morning, they kept busy experiencing lots of programs.  First of all, they went around the campus of the University of Saint Joseph. Professor Jonathan, director of international programs at USJ guided them around many facilities of this beautiful campus, such as the gyms, the library, the halls, the art museum and the church.  They looked much impressed and amazed with these marvelous campus facilities.

Second they had an orientation class with their language partners directed by Jonathan sensei to make quick introductions with each other in English. They made it very well.

The third program of today’s morning classes made difference to Otsuma Nakano students. It was to join a very special program of learning to integrate arts in education. Artist-in-Residence, Samite, who is a refugee from Uganda and a world-renowned musician, tells a story of his life playing instruments such as kalimba, marimba and various flutes to accompany his vocals. It was so amazing and outstanding because we could emotionally understand how people live in Uganda and they feel there.  

In the afternoon, a university staff, Professor Justin had another impressive and interesting workshop with the USJ liaisons on physical education programs. Warm up dancing, some exercises with their partners to understand each other and working together in some performances, which let them recognize how important each is for each other.  This workshop was also well organized and amazing to us.  This is the academic physical education!

Our live here in the University of Saint Joseph has just begun!

ハートフォードの最初の朝は雨。過ごしやすい気候です。お昼ごろには雨もあがり、きれいな夏らしい青空になりました。皆、元気です。

今日も忙しい一日。午前中は大学のキャンパスツアーからスタートです。スポーツ施設、図書館、ホール、美術館、そして教会と充実した素晴らしい大学の施設を見て回りました。日本の大学と比べることも大切な研修です。その後はジョナサン先生のオリエンテーション。大学のパートナー学生と一緒に自己紹介からスタート、この大学のことについていろいろと学びました。

その後は今日の特別プログラム。この大学に滞在しているアフリカ・ウガンダ出身の音楽家であり、音楽の力によって人を助ける活動を行っているサミテ氏による特別パフォーマンスに参加しました。ウガンダでの生活や難民キャンプの様子とそこに生きる人たちの気持ちをアフリカの楽器と歌と語りで表現していきます。まさにアートの力によって、人が希望を回復し、生きることができることを教えています。

午後は、大学の体育のジャスティン先生による授業です。ダンスから始まって、お互いの気持ちを理解しあうエクササイズ、そして、皆で協働して行うエクササイズとパフォーマンス。とてもアカデミックな体育の授業です。

大学らしいアカデミックなプログラムがこれから続いていきます。