By The Keystone Newspaper Students visit sites in Pennsylvania and New York
By John Mahoney // Bethany McDonald
Eight students from Kyorin University in Japan visited KU for two weeks in early September. In addition to visiting classes on campus, the students visited rural Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Dorney Park, Hersheypark and New York City.
Photo Credit: Shannon Gordon
On Sept. 3, psychology Professor Derek Mace hosted a meet-and-greet for the Kyorin students who were actually reuniting with KU students who visited Japan over the summer.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Carl Sheperis, who emphasized the value of international education.
“Traveling abroad, and especially studying abroad, is an incredibly brave and helpful thing to do for yourself,” Sheperis said. “Many hesitate to take the chance. Take it, please. You never know when you’ll get the chance again.”
Kyorin students then gave presentations on Japanese culture.
The first presenter illustrated tea ceremonies, emphasizing the importance of the hosts’ hospitality alongside the tradition of eating sweets and drinking matcha. The ceremony starts with guests crawling through a small entrance called a nijiriguchi to symbolize humility and equality.
Another student discussed the art of Kabuki and its cultural significance. Kabuki, she explained, is a beloved form of Japanese theater. She emphasized the beauty of the performance, noting that the emotions of the actors are conveyed through the costume and set designs.
Younger Yang, a Kyorin student from Taiwan, presented what he had learned in Pennsylvania, including national foods, state capitals and college customs. One of the biggest differences he mentioned was dorm life.
Photo Credit: Keystone staff
Mace noted that living in dorms on campus is uncommon in Japan due to the living expenses.
“There is no living on campus. A two-hour commute is normal,” Mace said.
The meet-and-greet concluded with a Kahoot quiz on KU culture. Yang won first place, correctly answering more questions about the university than many KU students.
During their two-week visit, starting on Aug. 29, the eight exchange students stayed with families from Kutztown borough. During the summer of 2025, KU students traveled to Japan and stayed with host families there.
Mace expressed the goal of the program is to provide a broader view of the U.S. than just its tourist landmarks.
“You could see all the big monuments and every big city, but that would be looking at things through a small lens,” Mace said. “Instead, we’re doing a bit of both—seeing everything from farmlands to amusement parks to Doylestown.”
Photo credit: Derek Mace
When discussing differences, Yang noted that Philadelphia reminded him of Kyoto, though he disliked Pennsylvania’s cooler weather.
“The history and culture of Philly is similar to Japan,” Yang said.
Kyorin students also spent time the Kutztown borough, exploring shops and restaurants on Main Street.
“The campus community got to see the Kyorin students live like your average Kutztown students for a bit,” Mace said. “It’s the little things like going to Pop’s for ice cream and checking out the dorms. I think this was all part of the goal.”
