Seiritsu International Education

It's Day 5 and the fun just keeps coming!

This past Thursday July 31st, the students got a chance to attend the Sophia University Open Campus, shop in Shibuya, and try their hand at judo.

Sophia University, also known as Jochi University, is one of the top private universities in Japan and has an extensive international program with a large foreign student body. This open campus was a great opportunity for the students to see what a Japanese urban university campus looks and feels like as well as to get lots of information on the programs available. Also on this tour were 5 members of the Seiritsu English Conversation Club, helping guide the Japan Experience! students around campus.

After the open campus, it was off to Shibuya for some shopping. Shibuya is a district in Tokyo well-known for its youth culture. It's also home to the world's busiest pedestrian crossing (which is visible in the background of the first picture) and the statue dedicated to Hachiko, a dog who, between 1925-1935, waited everyday at Shibuya Station for his deceased master to come home.

But it didn't end there. The students got a short break after returning to school before heading to their judo class with the Seiritsu judo coach, Kijima Sensei, and judo club members. Like the karate practice the day before it was a great introduction to the sport, giving the students a chance to practice rolls and throws.

Sophia University

Jocelyn and Karen with their Seiritsu guide, Haruka.

(From L to R) Nicholas, Bryce, and Victor with their guides Misaki and Ai, in the library.

(L to R) Claudia, Shirlene, France, and Ayano. Ayano showed them around to various information sessions.

Hmm........ perhaps Xenia will be a future Sophia University international student...

Japan Experience! 2008 and Seiritsu students in front of the Sophia University entrance.

Shibuya

(L to R) Monami, Ai, Karen, Jocelyn, Misaki, and Haruka. It turns out "SHOPPING!!" is an international word.

Xenia, Shirlene, and France, with a few new bags in hand...

Loyal Hachiko waited patiently for us to finish shopping before we gathered for the group picture.

Judo

Meditating before the class in order to clear one's mind and focus on the training ahead.

Victor demonstrating a basic Judo throw, the "ogoshi" (big hip; named so because the thrower uses the hip to toss the opponent)

Special thanks to Seirtsu student/Judo club member Yuki Mizuno for letting everyone throw him... twice. Extra special thanks to Yuki for also being Bryce's home stay brother. This is Jocelyn getting ready to toss Yuki.

Bryce, with his martial arts background, got the hang of it really quickly.

Claudia said afterward that the Judo lesson was a blast!

No injuries and big smiles meant it was a great lesson.

-Lawrence