By Takaaki Niikura (Nick)
I stayed in a host house in Hawaii for two weeks. I had been in Hawaii for a month to study abroad through a Japanese university. During the study abroad, I experienced a cultural difference.
The host family game gave me a room. The room was on the second floor. I always closed the door of my room when I was in my room. One day, my host family asked me why I closed the door. I didn’t have any reason because I thought it was usual. Then, the host family told me that Americans don’t close a door unless they don’t want to be interrupted doing something. Most Japanese close their bedroom’s door because we think rooms are a private space, so the door should be closed. Of course, it doesn’t mean we refuse everyone. If someone knocks on my door, I will answer it.
I think this difference comes from different ideas about privacy characteristic of Japanese and Americans. In addition, [This is really a second difference] Americans are more frank and open than Japanese. If my host family hadn’t told me about this, I would have missed the chance to talk to them.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Eye Contact? Smile?
By Kazuki Nishiyama
When you pass others whom you’ve never met, do you look at them or avoid eye contact? Since I came here, I have wondered why, when people in the U.S pass each other, they are sometimes making eye contact and smiling at each other though they are strangers for both of them. Of course, making eye contact and smiling shows their friendliness and is good habit.
I am now accustomed to smiling when a stranger smiles at me here in the U.S. Moreover, I sometimes see strangers say "Hi" to each other.
However, when I imagine that if I were in Japan and made eye contact and smiled at a stranger, I would be considered completely abnormal, or people would make fun of me. People don’t see others, don’t care about others and look as if they seem to deny others’ existence. In short, we are not allowed to make eye contact with a stranger even for one second.
When you pass others whom you’ve never met, do you look at them or avoid eye contact? Since I came here, I have wondered why, when people in the U.S pass each other, they are sometimes making eye contact and smiling at each other though they are strangers for both of them. Of course, making eye contact and smiling shows their friendliness and is good habit.
I am now accustomed to smiling when a stranger smiles at me here in the U.S. Moreover, I sometimes see strangers say "Hi" to each other.
However, when I imagine that if I were in Japan and made eye contact and smiled at a stranger, I would be considered completely abnormal, or people would make fun of me. People don’t see others, don’t care about others and look as if they seem to deny others’ existence. In short, we are not allowed to make eye contact with a stranger even for one second.
Monday, December 1, 2008
International students enjoy dinners in homes of Finlandia faculty, staff
This fall Finlandia international students were treated to home-cooked potluck dinners in the homes of various Finlandia faculty and staff members. Here we are about to enjoy the first of these feasts in the home of Suzanne Van Dam, English instructor and ESL director, fifth from left. Karen Johnson, Finlandia Communications director, right, foreground, later invited students to a dinner in her home. Also pictured here with students are Finlandia University President Philip Johnson, third from left, and Jeanne Rellihan, Finlandia provost, sixth from left. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo by Michele Bourdieu)Kana stops for a visit
We had a surprise visit from Kana Ito, left, this fall. She stopped at Finlandia while on her way to Vancouver, Canada, for new adventures. Kumiko joined us for a short visit with Kana at the new café in Hancock, the Copper Island Beach Club. (Photo by Gustavo Bourdieu)Saturday, November 29, 2008
Rhythms in the play
By Kumiko Takahashi
I went to see the play Herra Puntila and His Man Matti on a Saturday night at Finlandia's Finnish American Heritage Center. Before I went there, I had no idea about the play; I didn’t know where the story came from, or what kind of story was it was. According to the program of the play, I found that the story was from Finland and it was a comedy.
The story starts with a song. All songs in the play describe characters, backgrounds, or situations. The story has ten scenes and most of them include a song. Most of the songs, which have very high pitched notes and interesting rhythm, are sung by women singers. On the other hand, some characters sang a song by themselves. Those songs which were sung by characters showed very strong emotion, or their real intention. The rhythms of Finnish folk songs are really beautiful and fun to listen to, but difficult to imitate or remember.
While the stage crew was detaching and re-setting the set between the scenes, a couple came in and started dancing in front of the stage, so people didn’t pay attention to the re-setting of the stage. I thought that was really a good idea to keep audiences enjoying, try not to make them bored, and let the staff build the set quickly.
The play mixed English and Finnish. The actors were speaking mainly English, but sometimes they used Finnish. It made me confused trying to understand, but the rhythm of the mixed language made the story funnier. Thanks to those songs, music, dance and jokes, I really enjoyed the play.
I went to see the play Herra Puntila and His Man Matti on a Saturday night at Finlandia's Finnish American Heritage Center. Before I went there, I had no idea about the play; I didn’t know where the story came from, or what kind of story was it was. According to the program of the play, I found that the story was from Finland and it was a comedy.
The story starts with a song. All songs in the play describe characters, backgrounds, or situations. The story has ten scenes and most of them include a song. Most of the songs, which have very high pitched notes and interesting rhythm, are sung by women singers. On the other hand, some characters sang a song by themselves. Those songs which were sung by characters showed very strong emotion, or their real intention. The rhythms of Finnish folk songs are really beautiful and fun to listen to, but difficult to imitate or remember.
While the stage crew was detaching and re-setting the set between the scenes, a couple came in and started dancing in front of the stage, so people didn’t pay attention to the re-setting of the stage. I thought that was really a good idea to keep audiences enjoying, try not to make them bored, and let the staff build the set quickly.
The play mixed English and Finnish. The actors were speaking mainly English, but sometimes they used Finnish. It made me confused trying to understand, but the rhythm of the mixed language made the story funnier. Thanks to those songs, music, dance and jokes, I really enjoyed the play.
Spirit of the Harvest Powwow at MTU Oct. 25
Photos by Takaaki Niikura (Nick); video by Michele Bourdieu
On Oct. 25, 2008, some of us went with Michele and Gustavo to the Spirit of the Harvest Powwow at Michigan Tech University. We saw the Grand Entry with the Veterans' flag presentation and some traditional Native American dances.
Here are some of Nick's photos of the Powwow:
A young shawl dancer with her colorful regalia. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © 2008 Takaaki Niikura. Reprinted with permission.)
Donald Chosa, head veteran dancer, and family members.
Jill Hodges of the MTU Humanities Department Writing Center does a jingle dance, wearing a traditional jingle dress.
One of the youngest dancers ... The Powwow is a family affair, for all ages ...
... even babies!
The traditional hoop dance was the highlight of the afternoon.
Here's a video clip of the famous hoop dance, performed by Lowery Begay:
On Oct. 25, 2008, some of us went with Michele and Gustavo to the Spirit of the Harvest Powwow at Michigan Tech University. We saw the Grand Entry with the Veterans' flag presentation and some traditional Native American dances.
Here are some of Nick's photos of the Powwow:
A young shawl dancer with her colorful regalia. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © 2008 Takaaki Niikura. Reprinted with permission.)
Donald Chosa, head veteran dancer, and family members. 
Jill Hodges of the MTU Humanities Department Writing Center does a jingle dance, wearing a traditional jingle dress.
One of the youngest dancers ... The Powwow is a family affair, for all ages ...
... even babies!
The traditional hoop dance was the highlight of the afternoon.Here's a video clip of the famous hoop dance, performed by Lowery Begay:
Lowery Begay, who grew up on a Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona, performs a hoop dance at the Spirit of the Harvest Powwow on Oct. 25, 2008, in Michigan Tech's Gates Tennis Center. (Video clip © 2008 Michele Bourdieu)
Parade of Nations: September 2008
Finlandia students joined international students from Michigan Tech University and community members to participate in the annual Parade of Nations on Sept. 20, 2008.
Here we are getting ready for the beginning of the parade in Hancock. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © Michele Bourdieu)
Finlandia's international students represent several countries. Can you tell which ones are pictured here?
After the parade and lunch at Houghton's Dee Stadium, Kumiko assists young "fishermen" in the Yo-yo Fishing Game.
The game attracts all ages. The object is to "fish" for a balloon "Yo-yo" with a paper hook. Not as easy as it looks!
Michigan Tech Professor Noel Urban watches his daughter, Maya, catch a Yo-yo with patience and skill, while Kumiko observes her technique.
Moto, center, and Toshi offer Japanese green tea and Yo-yo tickets to a customer at the international students' booth.
Nick, right, organized the Yo-yo game as a new Parade of Nations activity this year. Here he is pictured with, from right, Kazuki, Moto, Toshi and Kumiko.
Here we are getting ready for the beginning of the parade in Hancock. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © Michele Bourdieu)
Finlandia's international students represent several countries. Can you tell which ones are pictured here? 
After the parade and lunch at Houghton's Dee Stadium, Kumiko assists young "fishermen" in the Yo-yo Fishing Game.
The game attracts all ages. The object is to "fish" for a balloon "Yo-yo" with a paper hook. Not as easy as it looks!
Michigan Tech Professor Noel Urban watches his daughter, Maya, catch a Yo-yo with patience and skill, while Kumiko observes her technique.
Moto, center, and Toshi offer Japanese green tea and Yo-yo tickets to a customer at the international students' booth.
Nick, right, organized the Yo-yo game as a new Parade of Nations activity this year. Here he is pictured with, from right, Kazuki, Moto, Toshi and Kumiko.
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