April 26/96

hree Capilano College student

recipients of the 1995/96 Aichi
Gakusen Student Award are currently
concluding their studies at Aichi
Gakusen in Tokyo, Japan. The students
are Kara James, Nicole Lawson and
Sarah-Jane Scott.

The College Japan Exchange
Committee recently recommended three
new students for the 1996/1997 Aichi
Gakusen Student Awards. Zahara
Bhanji, Grace Clarke and Kari
Kinakin grew up in Burnaby, Whistler
and Bowen Island respectively. All are
full-time students at Capilano: Zahara
in Arts, Grace in Business and Kari in
Sciences. Between now and their
departure in September 1996, they will
be studying the Japanese language and
following a program of cultural
preparations for the experience.

In Japan, each student will be
required to take a special group of
courses that include continuation of
their language studies, as well as
Japanese culture and history. They will
also act as speakers in the Aichi English
language classes. During their stay, the
students must keep the College’s Japan
Exchange Committee informed on a
regular basis with a monthly letter.
Following is an excerpt from one such
letter, dated January 30, 1996. It was
written by Sarah-Jane and shows how
the distinction between her Canadian
and Japanese families becomes
indistinct (a common occurrence).

“Dear Members of the Committee,

I enjoyed my New Year Japanese-
style very much. On the first of January
’96, I put on the most beautiful kimono
that my host mum had made. With my
two sisters, we all went to Sanage Jinja
(temple) to pray for good luck in 1996.

he ratification of the new OPEIU

agreement resulted in_ the
regularization of numerous longtime
temporary positions and their incumbents.
These include: Alison Bailey and Kim
Emanuele (APMCP), Elizabeth
DuPlessis (Canasean), Margaret
Macauley (DSS), John McMurray
(Music), Alma Relkie (Labour Studies),
Adele Herbert (Extensions), Kerry

Complete —
Education in Japan

Left to right: Nicole Lawson, Sarah-Jane
Scott and Kara James on a visit to Himeji
Castle.

It was more special than words can
describe, bringing in the New Year in
Japan with such a wonderful family. On
January 2 we all wore kimonos again to
our obaachan’s (grandmother’s) for a
delicious family dinner. It’s so neat being
able to participate in such a welcoming
and culturally different environment. I
was very shocked when my aunts gave
me otoshidama — envelopes of money
given every New Year by aunts and

On a Personnel Note

Murtagh (P & A Sc), Faye Ulker (ABT),
Jack Ploesser (Art), Dan Ciarniello and
Anna Rek (Biology), Erica Brant (ARC),
Deborah Swigart and Joanna Spurling
(Library). Medhy Ranjbary is filling as a
TFT computer operator while Jacques
Morris is on leave. Congratulations to
Ursel Brown, the new RPT clerk typist in
Counselling. Gordie Kay is filling in for
Patty McKee (storeskeeper) who is on

uncles to their nieces and nephews . . .
School should be finished by February
16, and then I plan on taking a trip to
Yokohama, Kamakura and Tokyo on my
own. Who me? Get lost? No, its only the
biggest city in Japan. I should be fine. . .
When I get back from Tokyo, the three of
us and Prof. Yamashita will be leaving for
our trip to Nara, Kuroshiki and Himeji. . .
It was confirmed yesterday that my mom
(from Canada) will be coming here in
March. She will be staying here with me
because my family is excited about
meeting her . . . My host sister Masako is
planning on joining my family next year
to celebrate Christmas Canadian style .. .
Here are some books I recommend:
Christopher - The Japanese Mind, Endo
- Silence, Natsume - And Then. ”

Files of correspondence from the
students of this and earlier years may be
found in the reference section of our
library.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Zvonar,
who was one of the recipients of the
Aichi Gakusen Student Award in 1992/
1993. She will be returning to Japan this
fall with a British Columbia Asia Pacific
Student Award. Since returning from
Aichi in 1993, Elizabeth has been
enrolled at Capilano College in the two-
year Studio Arts Program. From
November 1996 until May 1997, she will
be studying at the Hokkaido College of
Art and Design in Sapporo.

The Japan Exchange Committee
wishes to acknowledge the Capilano
College faculty who have informed their
students about the Aichi awards over the
years, and who have written letters of
recommendation for the applicants. We
will be calling for your support once
again in the fall.

Submitted by Malcolm Fitz-Earle

maternity leave. Matt Morris is filling in
as driver during this time. We are currently
recruiting for two RFT Adm/Reg officers
to replace Cheryl Helm (new office
manager in Registration) and Hazel Soon,
who is retiring this summer. On a final note,
Mary Barbosa (Committees clerk) is back
at her post!

Submitted by Dale Gagne

@nformer