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University of North Georgia (UNG) student Autumn Cleymans spent a week in Japan for the Kakehashi Project this January. She earned the opportunity through her first-place finish in the most advanced level of the Japanese Speech Contest held at Kennesaw State University in spring 2023.   

The Kakehashi Project is designed to promote people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States and Canda. The program provides participants with an enhanced understanding of Japanese economics, society, history, culture, politics, and diplomatic policies and encourages individuals to play an active role in the future of U.S.-Japan and Canada-Japan relations. 

Cleymans is a sophomore from Dahlonega, Georgia, pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a Japanese concentration. She previously studied abroad for multiple weeks at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, in summer 2023. The intensive Kakehashi experience proved to expand her horizons even further, as she was able to spend a two-day homestay in a more rural area than Tokyo, where she was for most of her week in Japan.   

"We were able to see what the culture is like outside of the big cities," Cleymans said. "I felt like I learned so much and experienced so many things with this program."  

Dr. Tomoe Nishio, a Â鶹APPassociate professor of Japanese, isn't surprised to see Cleymans excelling.   

"What stands out about her is that she always builds on her achievements for future opportunities. Autumn is now working on a video reflecting on her Kakehashi experience to participate in the local video showcase event," Nishio said. "Her positive attitudes toward learning and proactive participation in various projects and events continue to help her to grow into a global citizen with intercultural competence."