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If you listen closely, you might hear some conversational Japanese around the Central Connecticut State University campus.
That’s because student enrollment in Japanese language and culture courses has doubled over the last two and a half years thanks to new course formats, study abroad opportunities, and booming pop cultural appeal. The courses are offered by the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Dr. Matthew Chudnow, assistant professor of Japanese and the Japanese Program coordinator, has been working to revamp and expand Japanese language and culture classes since his arrival at Central in 2021.
In his first year at Central, Dr. Chudnow converted the program to a hybrid format, which contributed to an increase in students who are minoring in Japanese. Dr. Chudnow teaches elementary through intermediate Japanese language courses and multiple Japanese studies courses. He is also a proponent of Central’s Study Abroad programs and successfully encouraged four students to spend a semester at Kansai Foreign Language University in Osaka.
In October 2022, Dr. Chudnow took his students to the Consulate General of Japan in Boston in collaboration with Consul for Cultural Affairs and Public Relations Shinichi Honda. Students learned about the consulate’s role in U.S.-Japan relations and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Mr. Honda visited the Central campus the following fall.
With Mr. Honda’s support, Dr. Chudnow applied for Kakehashi Program, a 10-day study trip to Japan, and will represent Central along with seven students during this year’s trip from March 7 to 15. The Kakehashi trip is fully funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administered by the NGO Japanese International Cooperation Center.
Going forward, Dr. Chudnow plans to build up the program’s connection with the Japan Society of Greater Hartford.