The Global Education Institute hosts Nihon Kogakuin Cultural Exchange Event

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Global Education Institute (GEI) of the College of the Extended University (CEU) hosted the Nihon Kogakuin Cultural Exchange Event at the Bronco Student Center’s Ursa Major Suite. Cal Poly Pomona welcomed 195 students from Nihon Kogakuin Music College in Tokyo along with their faculty and staff. The event was planned and coordinated by Global Education Institute, Nihon Kogakuin Music College, and Tour America, LLC.

The opening ceremony saw remarks by Dr. Cheryl Wyrick, Interim Dean and Senior International Officer of the College of the Extended University and International Center; Dr. Iris Levine, Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; as well as greetings from Mr. Shuichi Kotera, teacher at Nihon Kogakuin Music College.

The Opening Ceremony was followed by a lecture from Dr. Michael Millar, lecturer at the Music Department on “Professionalism and Music Industry Career in the U.S.”.  The students were also able to enjoy a dance performance by CPP’s Broncettes Dance Team before having lunch with 70 CPP Volunteer students as part of a cultural exchange.  The CPP volunteers also interacted with the visiting Japanese students in an icebreaker activity. In return, the Japanese students also delivered a presentation on cultural customs and performed several dances.

Final remarks were given by Dr. David Horner, Associate Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences.  Dr. Horner also presented the certificate and the gift to the student representatives.  The Japanese students were later guided for a campus tour after the Closing Ceremony.

“We are so impressed by the organization of event”, said Mr. Kotera, “we look forward to working with Global Education Institute again next year.”  Right after the event, the Nihon Kogakuin Music College confirmed to bring students to CPP again on November 12, 2020.