SACLA (Sharing All Cultures and Languages) is a Hokudai student organization that socializes internationally. SACLA’s international lunches won Hokudai’s 元気 energetic project award this year. Lunches are on Wednesdays from 12:10 to 12:50 at the International Student Center (留学生センター) 1st floor lobby. Bring your own lunch.

Hokudai’s International Student Center (留学生センター) advises and accepts applications for Hokudai’s Study Abroad Programs (exchange student programs). Programs vary in destination and duration. Visit their website, and click on “Study abroad programs for Hokudai students” link.

Hokudai’s undergraduate entrance exam and the curriculum for the freshmen year are changing radically in spring of 2004. View the overview for details. Advise your friends and underclassmen who are considering applying for Hokudai.

I recently became a faculty advisor for Hokudai’s ultimate team. “Ultimate” used to be called “ultimate frisbee” but the word “frisbee” was dropped because it is a trademark. I know practically nothing about the sport. They asked me to be their faculty advisor because everybody else had turned them down! No matter, Noriko and I eagerly cheer our team.

The team welcomes new members. New uniforms have just come in! Now’s the time to sign up. Check out the team website at Paddy, named after one of the founding member’s pet dog.

Hokudai’s career center offers a series of workshops aimed at students who wish to become middle school and high school teachers. The 4th workshop (titled 論文指導1/個別面接指導1) is on 2010-08-03 Tuesday from 13:00 to 16:00 at the Information Technology Education building 3rd floor auditorium (情報教育館3階多目的中講義室). All students planning or considering earning teaching certificates should definitely attend. The first of many courses required for teaching certificates should be taken during fall semester of your freshmen year. Delays add to your workload. Don’t wait -- act now.

Visitors are welcome at any time. My students, teaching assistants, conversation partners, guest talkers, and I are eager to have you join us. You may drop in unannounced to observe or to participate under my direction. Should you wish to co-teach, prior coordination would be appreciated.

Past visitors have included: family members of students (parents, siblings), students (high school, college), teachers (middle school, high school, college), professionals (software engineers, journalists).