![(FILE PHOTO)Yuki Aono was one of the volunteers who organized the cherry blossom event outside DSU on March 30. “I want to encourage students to visit Japan, to teach English in Japan. Economically," she said. "Japan is a very good country, and many Japanese businesses are in Bowling Green. I want [students] to learn Japanese very seriously.”](https://wkuherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/03.30.22_gott_kennedy_cherryblossoms_008-900x600.jpg)
WKU’s cherry trees will be more than a source of campus beauty this Wednesday from 12-4 p.m in Centennial Mall, as WKU Global will host Ohanami, an event named after a Japanese cherry festival.
The event is meant to highlight WKU’s partnership with Japan and give students a look into study abroad and workforce opportunities in the country.
The exigence for hosting this event stems from the many ways WKU and its students connect with Japan.
“One in eight jobs in our area is with a Japanese-owned company,” John Sunnygard, associate provost for global learning and international affairs, said. “So we wanted to have an opportunity for students to see some of the different Japanese companies in the area where they might work in the future.”
The event will highlight study abroad programs in Japan that WKU offers and encourage students to look at companies and programs they could participate in after graduation.
There will also be a roundtable featuring professors from the College of Business and the School of Media and Communication who have experience working for Japanese companies, who can offer students more insight into what forms these opportunities take.
“The whole point is for students to have an opportunity to ask questions,” Sunnygard said. “How might I learn more about Japan and these opportunities?”
