UVA’s Japanese Student Association (JSA) weaves itself into the rich cultural tapestry at UVA, providing students with an inclusive space to participate in Japanese traditions. The club provides a welcoming platform for members to explore various facets of their heritage while building lasting friendships with other students of Japanese backgrounds. Building a sense of belonging, JSA also serves to enrich the community on Grounds by delivering a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation for Japanese culture.
JSA hosts frequent events for its members to engage in Japanese customs. In addition to the general body meetings, the club has been busy with providing many opportunities to participate this fall. Some of the recent events have been movie nights, karaoke, pickleball tournaments, and festive arts and crafts. In the past, JSA has hosted Taste of Japan, an event where a delicious menu of Japanese food is offered, and a packed intercollegiate weekend with other universities, fostering connections with other Japanese organizations. Whether students seek to learn more about Japanese heritage or to just have some fun, JSA creates a combination of social events and educational experiences that make each event meaningful and a chance to learn something new.
To look more into the role that JSA plays in UVA’s community, I interviewed Anika Loper, a second-year student who serves as the social chair for JSA, who shared her perspective on what it is like to be a member of JSA and the club’s impact:
What is your role in JSA?
I’m the social chair of JSA – that means I plan two or more events per month for members to socialize and get to know each other, including dinners and mixers! We also try to communicate with social chairs of other multicultural organizations to do joint events.
What do you enjoy most about this role?
I love that I get to bring people with a shared interest in Japanese culture together who may have
otherwise never met. It’s so rewarding when our members tell us that they had a good time and made new friendships through our events. As someone who grew up in an area without many other Japanese people, JSA has given me the chance to meet lots of people who have similar experiences to mine and that has been exciting and fulfilling.
What types of events does JSA host?
We host a variety of events, including social, sports, culture, and fundraising events. They all center on Japanese culture, whether that means having Japanese food, holiday celebrations, arts or entertainment, etc.
What has been your favorite or most memorable event during your time in the club?
My most memorable experience was a karaoke night, which was one of the first events I attended in my first year. I was nervous to show up without knowing anyone, but I made friends that I’m close with to this day. We sang both English and Japanese songs all night and had an overall great time.
What have you learned from your time in JSA?
I learned that having a community that can relate to my life experiences can make a world of a difference. As an out-of-state student who came into UVA without a network, having a place where I felt like I belonged was so valuable, and I hope to provide incoming students with the same experience.
What do you hope members will take away from being a part of this organization?
I hope that members take away from both the Japanese culture aspect – whether this means learning about a culture they weren’t familiar with previously, or providing ways to connect with an important part of their identity – as well as the social aspect of networking with students who they share this interest in common with. While most of our members have a Japanese background or are studying Japanese, we encourage everyone with an interest in Japanese culture to join our organization and have a place to connect with others!
Like other multicultural student organizations, JSA is dedicated to cultivating its close-knit community and celebrating the dimension of diversity it brings to UVA. As JSA continues to evolve and expand, it is an engaging environment for students to learn and explore Japanese culture.
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