Newspapers / Methodist University Student Newspaper / Feb. 15, 1999, edition 1 / Page 9
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Pride ,e Monday, February 15, 1999 International Students Of The Month By Ana Maria Ayala Staff Writer Every semester, Methodist College re ceives, with open arms, international stu dents from all over the world to share ex periences and enrich their lives with new-found knowledge. Over four years ago, in 1994, two young women came to our college from Japan: Kaori Ito from Shizouka and Rika Suzuki from the town of Kanagawa. This May, both wiJl graduate from Methodist College and join the long line of alumni who can be found not only throughout this country, but in all corners of the world. Kaori came to the United States for the first time on a vacation, when she was only eleven years old. Rika first saw this coun try just six years ago. They both enjoyed their visit to this country so much that they decided to return and study here. Kaori is majoring in accounting, with a minor in French, which she had learned to speak during her time at Methodist Col lege. When asked why she came to America, she stated, “I wanted to learn how people thought in different cultures and also learn their languages.” Rika is majoring in education and she wants to be able to teach children in many different languages. She too has enjoyed her time in the United States and has used every opportunity to discover new aspects of our diverse culture and unique traditions. Both came here together, and have got ten what they were looking for from a Methodist College education, but now as they prepare to graduate, they are going to take different paths. Kaori is thinking of going to graduate school to pursue a Mas ter of Business Administration degree, while Rika is looking for a job as an el ementary school teacher. As in the case of Rika and Kaori, many new international students leave their homes, families, and even their countries to fulfill what for many is a dream come true—a dream that takes a lot of hard work to realize. We want to congratulate Kaori and Rika for all of their hard work, and encourage our readers to take the time to meet and get to know these two remarkable young la dies before they leave us. They are our “International Students of the Month.” President Welcomes Students By Ana Maria Ayala Staff Writer On January 21, the President’s Wel come Dinner for new international students was held in the Alumni Dinning Room in the Bems Student Center. The dinner was hosted by Dr. M. Elton Hendricks and his wife, and included most of the academic and staff leadership of Methodist College. Dr. Hendricks welcomed a total of nine Kaori and Rika. new students, representing eight countries. Svetlana Kurs from Belarus and Laura Landret from Fayetteville provided enter tainment for the evening. At the completion of the dinner. Dr. Hendricks formally welcomed the new stu dents to Methodist College, and thanked them for choosing our college to help them fullfil their academic goals. Valentine's Day Japanese Style By Ana Maria Ayala Staff Writer Back in 1936, a company by the name of Kobe Morosoy Confectionery Inc. was making plans to introduce the custom of Saint Valentine’s Day to Japan. Their plans and the new holiday tradition were abruptly interrupted by the nightmare of World War II. Following the war, Kobe Morosoy and a number of other Japanese companies worked hard to rejuvenate the tradition of a holiday to commemorate love and lovers of all ages. Somewhere along the line, or between the cultures, Valentine’s Day got a little turned around on its way to the Far East. In Japan, it’s not guys who go out and buy flowers, candy, and other goodies for their favorite girls—yes, you guessed it, it’s the ladies who go out and do the shopping for the men. The men aren’t looking for flow ers, thank you very much, they are just hanging in there for boxes of assorted chocolates and the like. And the ladies? In Japan, the ladies neither expect nor do they receive anything for Valentine’s Day. It doesn’t stop there. There are at least three different ways to give chocolate candy. There is the chocolate that is given to the man you love. The second way to give chocolate is to a male friend or a male member of the family, like your brother. A third type of gift is called “Girl Choco” which translates to “Obligation Chocolate.” Japanese take all personal and professional obligations very seriously, so Giri Choco is a very important and necessary gift in their culture. Yes, ladies, there is a payback to look forward too. A month after Valentine’s Day, the Japanese celebrate “White Day.” White Day is when the gentlemen who re ceive chocolates get to return the favor by presenting their girls with very select gifts. If a woman receives cookies from a man, it signifies an expression of love. However, if she gets candy, it means he only wants to be a friend. If the lady gets marshmallows, it’s a way of saying that “I’m sorry, I don’t like you at all.” Why bother, creep? What are you getting for Valentine’s Day? I hope it’s not marshmallows. Dr. Hendricks greets guests at the Welcome Dinner
Methodist University Student Newspaper
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Feb. 15, 1999, edition 1
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