By Shannon Perry (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Whetstone/Shannon Perry

Discussing everything from tsunami relief to Japanese traditions, Wesley College held the first of six International Fireside Chats held in the faculty lounge in the college center.

The Fireside Chat, directed by Wesley student Alyssa Prudente, featured two visiting scholars from Miyagi University (a partner school of Wesley), Dr. Tomonori Ichinose, a professor of Languages at the Research Center for International Understanding in Education, and Dr. Wataru Suzuki, who is an assistant professor in the Division of English Language Education.

The discussion was narrated by Wesley’s SGA President Tanner Polce and Vice President Bryan Zarou.

“Our main process is to eliminate stereotypes and gain knowledge,” Zarou said at the start of the chat.

Topics discussed included how Americans are viewed, youth in Japan, women’s rights, family traditional backgrounds and Japanese education.

The two Japanese professors explained their country’s education system.

“We have the same structure as the U.S.,” Ichinose said. “We have primary, secondary, and high school. We just have a lot of emphasis on mathematics. We also spend hours after school studying as well.”

Ichinose and Suzuki discussed the social pressure and competition to perform academically in Japan.

“We are a smaller nation, so more knowledge is needed so we can be recognized,” Ichinose said.

Students were interested in how foreign countries differ from ours.

“I think it’s very important to learn about how they live compared to us, it’s insightful,” said senior Julia Wright.

The next fireside chat will be held Oct. 25 from 3:30-4:30 and will featuring Wesley’s newest International Students: Lila Metais (from France), Wei Zhu (from China), Jorge Castillo (from Chille’), Paul Flanagan (From Northern Ireland), and Yang Wang (from China).