Urasoe City English Newsletter
September 2007

Hello! My name is Hilary Holbrow, and I am stepping in for Matt Cockey as the new Coordinator of International Relations. I come from the United States, and have been living in Okinawa for a year. I look forward to meeting many of you, and spending another year on this beautiful island.

As a foreigner living in Japan, I think it’s important to be active in both the Japanese and foreign communities. Through relationships with local people, we can deepen our understanding of Japan and Okinawa, and create ties that will continue to connect us with Okinawa even after we move on. As for the international community, if you’re new to Okinawa, other foreign residents are a great resource. And if you lived here a while, it is very satisfying to share what you’ve learned with others to help them adapt to the challenges of living in a foreign country. I hope that this newsletter, through event listings and articles, will help you to connect with both communities. ～Hilary Holbrow

Events

English/Japanese Ikebana Course, Wednesdays in Naha and Thursdays in Okinawa City. Classes begin at 11am, 3pm, and 6:30pm. A fee will be charged for flowers and study materials. Please call Ms. Yoshida (090-1179-0069) for more information.

Friendship Seminar: Brazil and Argentina, Saturday, September 22 from 2pm-3:20pm at the JICA Okinawa International Center. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Okinawan emmigration to Brazil and Argentina. Learn about these countries from two descendents of Okinawan immigrants! (Japanese)

Recycling Festival and Flea Market, Sunday, September 30 from 9am-2pm at Urasoe City Recycling Plaza.
Used goods, including furniture and bicycles, will be on sale for CHEAP.

Moscow P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory Concert, Sunday, October 7 at 7pm, at Tedako Hall.
This evening of classical music will include performances on the cello, violin, piano, and balalaika, and guitar. Tickets are free, and can be picked up from the Culture Section of Uraose City Hall, located on the second floor of Akahira Station (the red brick building located across the street and down the hill from City Hall), beginning on September 12. Call 098-876-1234 (ext. 6212) for availability.

African Caravan, Saturday, October 20 from 10am-9pm at the Sakurazaka Gekijo in Naha.
10am-1:15pm African dance workshop and performance. Fashion show.
2pm-4pm Movie screening, singing performance, and panel discussion.
7pm-9pm Live African music.

Feature - Learning Japanese
日本語の勉強

Living in Okinawa is a great chance to study Japanese, but what with work, school, family, and friends it can be hard to find the time. Luckily there is a wide range of options for language study here, from full-time programs to informal conversation salons. The following is a list of schools and organizations that offer Japanese instruction.* Please contact the individual groups for more information. Happy studying!

*Please note that Urasoe City does not endorse or evaluate the language programs of private organizations. This list is for informational purposes only.

Urasoe

Urasoe International Relations Association Makiminato 3-40-6, Urasoe City
浦添市国際交流協会 浦添市牧港3-40-6
Tel. 098-879-3010
The IR Association holds Japanese conversation salons, and offers a matching service for language exchange partners. Call the Association for details.

Welfare Plaza Volunteer Japanese Teaching 1-1-2 Nakama, Urasoe City
浦添市仲間1-1-2
Tel. 098-877-8226
This group meets every Thursday at 7:30 in the volunteer room of the Welfare Plaza for informal study. Potential members are welcome to drop by.

Ginowan

Cross Cultural Communication Center 4-3-18 Nagata, Ginowan City
異文化間コミュニケーションセンター宜野湾市長田4-3-18 Tel. 098-893-6467

Hispanic Culture Center 2-6-16 3E Mashiki, Ginowan City
ヒスパニック文化センター 宜野湾市真志喜
Tel. 070-6653-5409

Naha

International Center of Language and Culture 2F Sunhills Tabaru, 1-4-1 Tabaru, Naha City
国際言語文化センター 那覇市田原1-4-1サンヒルズ田原２F
Tel. 098-859-3881

Japan Institute of Culture and Economics 2-12-14 Nishi, Naha City
日本文化経済学院 那覇市西2-12-14
Tel. 098-869-8686

Nichia Foreign Language Academy 1-1-1 Matsukawa, Naha City
日亜外語学院 沖縄県那覇市松川1-1-1
Tel. 098-833-8666

Okinawa International Exchange & Human Resources Development Foundation
7F Higashimachi Kaikan, 1-1 Higashimachi, Naha City
沖縄県国際交流人材育成財団 那覇市東町1-1那覇東町会館7階
Tel. 098-941-6788

Okinawa Peru Association Kokusai Koryu Academy Bdg, 1-165-1 Matsuyoshimachi, Naha City
沖縄ペルー協会 那覇市末吉町1-65-1国際交流アカデミービル
Tel. 098-885-2333

Oroku Language School Maruhiro Building, 3rd Flr., 421-15 Oroku, Naha City
小禄ランゲージスクール 那覇市小禄421-15丸廣ビル３F
Tel. 098-857-2010

Private Teachers

If none of these organizations can meet your Japanese study needs, the following private teachers give lessons in central Okinawa, and are currently looking for new students:

Ms. Kuwahata
Ms. Oojima
Ms. Shin

Please contact the IR Section if you would like to get in touch with any of these teachers.

International Interest Groups

Do you want to learn more about a new culture, or teach other people about your own? Okinawa is home to many interest groups for different nationalities and ethnicities. The following are some of the countries represented. If you would like to get in touch with any of these groups, please contact the IR Section.