Community Outreach Activities Interview: Dante Conde from Ithaca College, USA

Discover Akita Beyond Campus: Engaging with AIU’s Community Outreach Activities

For international students preparing to embark on their academic journey at Akita International University (AIU), the experience extends far beyond the classroom. AIU’s Community Outreach Activities offer a unique and valuable opportunity to deeply engage with Japanese culture and foster memorable connections within the local community. This article, an interview with Dante Conde, a third-year politics major from Brooklyn, New York City, notes the deep and enriching experiences these Community Outreach activities provide.

Unforgettable Local Engagements

Dante’s introduction to the Community Outreach Activities began at a campus fair. He was immediately captivated by the prospect of being able to meet with local students, even with local children and the local population. Dante mentioned that his Community Outreach Activities have been filled with memorable experiences that highlight the fun of cultural exchange and the value of seemingly small moments. He consistently found deep satisfaction connecting with children and observing unique aspects of Japanese culture through children’s games and everyday activities.

Beyond presenting his home country at an elementary school, an arts and crafts session truly stood out. Children presented him with handmade origami, which he still keeps. Even seemingly “insignificant” moments, like having lunch with the children and joining in activities such as “head, shoulders, knees and toes,” held a lot of value for him. Even playing dodgeball, he found it “such a unique experience to see how different sports are essentially played, especially at the elementary school level.”

A Global Perspective: Connecting Experience with Purpose

Dante highlighted how deeply these activities transformed his understanding of the world. He now firmly believes that “these kinds of activities are so important, they’re so critical.” For his future career aspirations in politics, he emphasized the vital importance of “all different types of people in general.” He drew a clear distinction between understanding Akita’s culture from an “academic perspective” within a classroom and “seeing it personally” through these direct interactions. Observing “the different landscape, the buildings, the very insignificant details that add to the overall experience of studying abroad,” has provided him with “this very global perspective on politics that I don’t think I would have gotten otherwise.” He also articulated a profound sense of purpose, stating that “we have to work our hardest and do our best to be able to ultimately protect their smiles, to ensure that tomorrow they can enjoy the next sunrise.”

Embrace This Enriching Opportunity!

Dante strongly advocates participation in these activities, describing them as “one of a kind” experience. For international students, it’s not merely about exploring the country but truly “enjoying the local community”. He emphasized that “it’s not every day that you play dodgeball in an elementary school with children or you can even sit down and have lunch with them.” As he experienced these interactions, he believes, they will “reframe your thinking ultimately of your country.”

As Dante mentioned, Community Outreach Activities provide chances for AIU students and Akita locals to build bonds, community, and to understand Akita and Japan, mutually benefiting each side via interaction.