NEWSLETTER

August 2017

VOLUME 33

ENGLISH EDUCATION CENTER－INSIDE－■

Cultural Representative Programs at the Walt Disney World® Resort■Longing for the Season■From Our SENPAI■Recent Activities■Information

Cultural Representative Programs at the Walt Disney World® ResortMITSUKOSHI ORLANDO provides you with a cultural representative at the Walt Disney World® Resort. In this program, as
part of the Epcot® team, you will introduce Japanese culture to the guests from all over the world and make them discover therichness and diversity of world cultures. Here are the reports from Florida, USA.

Kaori Shioya, Faculty of Education, International Understanding, participated in this program:
Hello! Have you heard of the place of “where dreams come true”? …Yes, it’s the theme parks created by Walt
Disney. There my dreams came true!!
I worked for Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park in Florida, USA for one year! Before flying to Florida, I
had four Japanese/English interviews and was selected as a Disney cultural representative. I credit my successin applying to Dr. Mark Stafford, because he helped me a lot throughout the process.
My workplace was at the Japan Pavilion at Disney’s Epcot theme park. I introduced people from allaround the world to Japanese cultural items such as kimonos and bonsai.
I also interacted with many different cultures. For example, American managers said things like “Yougotta be fun! You can’t make guests happy if you are not happy!” On the other hand, Japanese managers
said things like, “Be professional of Omotenashi. Guests are of most importance.” I realized how culturaldifferences influenced cast members attitudes while working. I thought Omotenashi was a very uniqueculture and we needed to value it. One example was on one memorable day, I met a girl who had reallywanted a kimono, but her mother told her “I can’t afford it”. I saw the girl crying, and so I made a kimono
using origami and gave it to her. The girl and her mother smiled.
Disney World makes moments of happiness a goal for cast members to sharewith the guests. They are called a magical moment in Disney World, and magical moments connect
people’s hearts. I shared many magical moments at Disney World, and magical moments connect
people’s hearts. I shared many magical moments from the other cast members and Disney guests.
From my experience representing culture, I realized how smile is universal. And that if everyone
can create a magical moment each day, everyone becomes happier and in turn make the world ahappier place.

Shunsuke Hamamura, Faculty of Education, International Understanding, participates in this program now:
Hello everyone! This is Shunsuke, I’m currently working at Walt Disney World as a cast member.
I work at the “Festivity” section at the Japan pavilion, and have several opportunities to talk to guests.
In my work, the “Bartender” is the most excellent position because we can create many opportunities forguests to have fun trying Japanese “Sake”. I began learning about it since I arrived in Orlando, Florida.
Slowly, I’m beginning to understand why people are fascinated by it. - “Which one would you like to taste,
sweet or dry?”- This is what I ask first. Based on each guest’s preferences, I recommend and explain thedifferent types of Sake. While tasting, I describe the ingredients and the best way to drink each one, hotor cold. When someone reacts to my recommendation positively, this gives me confidence, however, when
the reaction is negative, then I feel that I have to learn more about it. In addition, I sometimes receive“Guest Comment cards”. I will always treasure every message and advice. At the same time, it encourages me to fulfill myambition to become a specialist in Japanese Sake through this program.
While I am talking about liquor, let me introduce you to one of my enjoyable experiences at the EPCOT. There are 11
international pavilions and all pavilions have their original liquor, tasting every one in one day is called “Drinking around theWorld”, including delicious beer from Germany, and one can taste three types of liquor in small glasses called “Beer Fright”. Inaddition, one can accept the challenge to drink over 40% alcohol by drinking liquor shots of “Aquavit” from Norway! Actually, I
have attempted this crazy challenge with my co-workers, and conquered it somehow. This is a paradise for heavy drinkers.
Finally, I will tell you about the Disney resort and dining experience. Disney hotels and food experiences are things thatyou will be entertained. At the restaurants, you can have an opportunity to take photos with a Disney character. Every
restaurant has a particular character that entertains
visitors at each table. You may have your picture withthem as a memory of your visit. Disney magic is not only
on-stage but also everywhere during your time at theWalt Disney World.
See you soon, bye-bye!

Longing for the Season SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!!

- by Alexis Kinch

Hear ye! Hear ye! Summer is fast approaching! Do you know what THAT means?!
The sounds of African style drums, cymbals, live bass guitars and stereo sound systems will fill the streets of Bridgetown,
Barbados to celebrate the annual CROP OVER FESTIVAL!
That's right! Every year in my home island, the streets come alive in August with pulsating rhythms, performers, food stalls,
live 'calypso' music blaring from stereo trucks, feathery costumes and many dancing visitors mingling with locals frommorning.....to night...to morning again!
Crop Over festival commemorates the harvest/reaping of the last sugar cane crop for the season. Long months of hard workin the fields culminate with this national festival. In Japan, there will be a somewhat similar Caribbean dance costume festival
happening in Kochi Prefecture on August 10th-11th! I was so happy to know about this cultural exchange between Japan andthe Caribbean islands. If you want to observe and experience a bit of my Caribbean culture, why don't you go there! InBarbados, we have this popular saying --"Crop Over, more than a festival.... it sweet fuh (for) days!" which means "Crop Over is a time to be happy, relaxed andcelebrate life….and where strangers become family!"
Quite a positive approach to life in general, I think!

From Our SENPAI -Recent Activities -Suzuka Kawasaki, Faculty of Law and Letters, Humanities,●“Let’s Enjoy English” was held on May 8 - July 25. As for thisconversation class, nine teachers performed for each ten times

graduated in March, 2017:

Hello, everyone. My name is Suzuka Kawasaki and I
graduated from Ehime University last March. As an English
Professional Course student, I attended various classes and met
wonderful teachers, staff, and classmates. Thank you so muchfor a great time to improve my English skills. Now, I am reallyglad to tell you all on this newsletter that I will go to the U.K.
this summer to start my postgraduate course!! From August, I
will study Education and Development at the University of East
Anglia and try hard to get the master’s degree. The university is
located in Norwich, which lies about 100 miles north-east ofLondon. The campus boasts rich nature and it has a 24-hourlibrary, a gym, a medicalcenter, shops and pubs.
I can’t wait to study andlive there with brilliant
professors and studentsfrom all over the world!! I
would like to let you
know how it goes during
my stay in the U.K.!!
See you then!!

during this period, and a total of 331 students participated.
●“Yarinaoshi Eigo Jyuku” was held on May 9 - July 11. This
remedial English class was held 8 times and 31 students
participated.
●“Support Class” was held on May 11 - July 27. This class washeld 3 times in the first quarter and 6 times in the second
quarter, and in total 22 students participated to pass the term
exam.
●“The English Professional Course Middle Meeting and SEAProgram Send-Off Party” were held on July 19.

Information ▶ Student Self-Learning Room and Chat Room will be closed
from August 14 to 16. They open as usual during the summer
vacation except these closed days. We hope many of you will
come to study.

*Open: 9:00-17:00 Mon-Fri, except Aug 14-16

ENGLISH EDUCATION CENTER @EHIME UNIVERSITY
2nd floor, Aidai Muse, 3 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama, EHIMETEL : 089-927-8340 E-mail : eec@stu.ehime-u.ac.jp
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http://web.eec.ehime-u.ac.jp/