TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Welcome Event in Kanto Region, Team B: Alumni Take Part in Creative Workshop ‘Life Curves’

On May 26, 2019, the Kanto Region, Team B kicked-off the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework Welcome Event in Shibuya, where TOMODACHI Alumni gathered together to discuss the challenges of studying and working abroad.

The event was organized by Kirari Miura, Regional Leader and Hiroko Hiraki, Regional Mentor.

In the first half of the event, all of the participants took part in a creative workshop called “Life Curves,” with everyone drawing the ups and downs they have experienced in their lives and the turning points that create those curves. They then shared these life curves with one another. Listening to one another share their inner selves enabled alumni to learn more about one another in comparison to the short self-introduction that is the norm.

After the Life Curves workshop, the group divided into smaller groups to discuss the pros and cons of the differences between Japan and other countries they have lived in or visited. Some of the more popular topics that arose from these discussions included the way in which job-hunting (shukatsu) is done, communication methods, cultural norms, social structure, and everyday safety in Japan. This activity was designed to gather information on alumni interests to use as reference for the next event being planned for the fall.

To conclude the event, alumni welcomed a special guest: Kenji Negi, TOMODACHI Alumni and Regional Mentor of Kanto Region Team A. He spoke about his life prior to coming to Japan, growing up as a Japanese-American in Chicago, studying abroad in Kyoto, and working in both the United States and Japan. He stressed the importance of not only being able to speak two or more languages, but the more important lessons you learn by being bi- or multi- cultural that help you understand different cultures.

The event was held as a part of the TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework, the TOMODACHI Generation Alumni Leadership Program supported by Prudential.