Ms. McKenna Kei Asakawa comments on her participation in the“Invitation Program for Japanese-American Students”( 3/3/2012-20/3/2012.)
Ms. Asakawa, center, with her host family.
Ms. McKenna Kei Asakawa, a 12th grader at Centaurus High School in Lafayette, visited Japan on March 3-20, 2012 as a participant in the “Invitation Program for Japanese-American Students”. This program, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, provides Japanese-American students an opportunity to learn Japanese language and assist them to maintain Japanese cultural heritage.
This year, Ms. Asakawa was chosen as one of five Japanese-American high school students from across the U.S. to visit Japan with this program.
She shared her impressions of the trip with us (Click here for full text of her comments.
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Following are some excerpts from her essay:
“Returning to Japan as a young woman allowed me to synthesize my previous knowledge of the island nation and to develop a more well-rounded understanding of the Japanese society, people, culture and present.”
“Meeting the students of Yokosuka High School and the members of my host family reiterated my understanding of the ultimate similarities of all humans.”,“In a class I attended, the first question that I was asked by the girls was not about American politics or the economy, our history, or English language, but “so, what kind of boys do you like?” Clearly, a teenage girl is a teenage girl, whether she lives in Colorado or Yokosuka.”
“Above all, my further understanding of the affinity of all humankind has inspired me to pursue humanitarian work as I hope to bond with individuals from various cultures and communities worldwide in an effort to strengthen local economies and infrastructure.”
“I am extremely grateful to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, International Friendship Association, the friends I met in Japan, and our wonderful tour guides and coordinators for all of their hard work in giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Ms. Asakawa is a member of her school's speech and debate team, and also plays an active role in volunteer activities.
She is enthusiastic about traditional Japanese culture, and has been learning Japanese traditional dance and kimono dressing since early childhood at the Denver Buddhist Association.
In the Japanese community she actively serves as a leader in the Young Buddhist Association at the Denver Buddhist Temple and as a volunteer at the annual Denver Cherry Blossom Festival, one of the largest local Japan-related events.