
A UTokyo student reporting on her Taiken experience
On August 30, a reception was held for 14 UTokyo students who participated in the 2013 New York Region Taiken (Hands-on Experience) program for UTokyo undergraduates. Twelve students of the program visited UTokyo alumni at four corporations, a law firm, a hospital, a university, an NGO, and the United Nations to learn firsthand about “work and career in the U.S.” spending five days. Also present were two students who experienced farming at an organic farm in Princeton, NJ for two weeks in a separate Taiken program. Twenty four alumni and their guests joined the reception held in Wall Street, which was organized by the NY Ichokai and Satsuki-kai America. Friends of UTokyo (FUTI) provided a partial support toward the cost of the gathering.
Mrs. Nobuko Sakurai, a member of the FUTI Advisory Committee and a director of Satsuki-kai America, welcomed the students, the alumni and the guests, thanking the companies and the organizations who kindly accepted the students’ visits. Mr. Yasuo Okamoto, Esq., also a member of the FUTI Advisory Committee and the President of the NY Ichokai commented, “We are pleased to help young promising students have a meaningful international experience.”

Mr. Shinya Wako ( left) and Mr. Motoatsu Sakurai (right) chat with the students
Several other alumni gave “my message to students,” describing their various experiences in the U.S., followed by the students’ group who expressed their gratitude to the hospitality and talked about the excitement that they experienced in the program. One junior student remarked: “I learned a great deal from the Taiken program. It gave me a valuable opportunity to think seriously about my future. I found every visit helpful in broadening my thoughts and horizons. I adore alumni who have achieved success by working overseas, which is also my goal.”
UTokyo started the Taiken program in 2012 with the aim of fostering “UTokyo students without borders” (Étudiants de UTokyo sans frontières) through experiencing diverse facets of international community. This year, the program consist of 51 domestic and 24 international programs, of which five Taiken programs took place in the United States. http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/stu01/h19_j.html
Articles in this newsletter:
- Alumni in Japan and Illinois Make the Fourth Annual Campaign Successful
- The Annual Board and Advisory Committee Meeting Held
- Eight More Receive FUTI’s Summer Scholarships for Participating in GSP and Other Summer Programs
- UTokyo Students Challenge Summer Sessions at Yale
- Reception Held to Welcome UTokyo Students on a “Taiken” Program
- 2013 UTRIP Reception Held
- GSP Reception Held at UTokyo
- 450 Students Attend Overseas Study Orientation Program at Komaba
- FUTI’s Support of Kavli-IPMU’s Program Continues
- FUTI’s Grant to the Columbia-UTokyo Joint Lecture Program Renewed
- Dr. Fumiko Tamura Appointed "Advisor to Treasurer"
- Dr. Shigenori Matsushita joins the Award Committee
- Mr. Seiei Ono, FUTI Advisory Committee Member, Returns to Japan
- Mr. Sung Kie Paik, a New York Ichokai Member, Dies
- Blog Article: ”Science of Vowels” by Shigenori Matsushita
- Book Review, “Mathematicians Who Lost Their Faces: Essays in Idleness on Mathematics,” by Shoshichi Kobayashi