Interview: Dr. Bruce Stronach from Showa Boston Institute
Since its founding in 1988, the Showa Boston Institute (SBI) has been an important center for Japanese language learning and cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan in East Coast.
SBI has made significant contributions to the success of the Boston Japan Festival.
We had the honor to speak with President Dr. Bruce Stronach about the institute's appeal, its strong connections with the local community, and its passion.
Q. What inspired the founding of SBI in Boston?
Dr. Stronach: Both Showa Women’s University and Showa Boston Institute were founded by a forward-thinking family that understood the power of education and globalization. Showa Women’s University was established right after WWI by Mr. and Mrs. Hitomi, who believed that educating women was key to world peace.
Their son, Kusuo Hitomi, founded the SBI campus in 1988. The reason he wanted to establish a study-abroad campus is because his daughter, Noriko, studied in the US when she was a high school student. When she returned to Japan, he noticed a remarkable change in her, and it went beyond just English. She became more confident and started thinking more openly about Japan and the world. She had transformed into a global citizen.
Mr. Hitomi wanted this for his students at Showa Women’s University. He bought the campus, much to the chagrin of the faculty and staff of SWU. He was a trailblazer. They faced many challenges in those early years. Thanks to his determination and vision, we estimate that about 15,000 students have come to Boston to study English here.
It is still our goal to open the minds of young Japanese women and inspire them to think more openly and globally and gain independence and confidence along the way, of course knowing there will be challenges.
Q. Showa Boston Institute offers various Japanese learning courses for people in Boston and surrounding communities. However, there are other colleges and schools that provide similar offerings. Why should someone choose SBI for studying Japanese over other alternatives in the area?
Dr. Stronach: We are focused on Japanese language and culture exclusively. We have a dedicated faculty and experienced staff. Over 90% of our full-time employees have been here for more than 5 years, and several have been with us for over 25 years.
Our faculty knows the strengths and weakness of Japanese learners.
We offer courses at all levels, allowing you to choose according to your proficiency and schedule. In the summer semester, we will offer 6-week conversation-driven courses and 12-week JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) Prep courses, focusing on advancement in each level. Students can take the JLPT exam directly at SBI.
We plan to introduce a 6-week Kids program, which includes basic Japanese language classes, cool Japan cultural immersion activities, and lunch. There are currently 190 students in the spring semester.
Local Boston students can practice the "living language" with hundreds of SBI students from Japan, immersing themselves in Japanese through SBI events and community activities.
Q. How do SBI students engage with the local community through activities and events? How can the community get involved?
We have several programs:
Showa Friendship Circle program (SFC) is a cultural exchange that matches 2 or 3 Showa students with community volunteers for language practice and recreational activities. Volunteers and students spend time having fun, doing interesting activities together.
College Connection Program (CCP) is an intercultural exchange opportunity between Showa and Boston-area university students. Together they learn and experience cultural differences in a casual and open environment. Through multiple meetings there is the chance for Showa students to experience American college life while offering Boston-area students an opportunity to globalize their resume before, after, or in place of study abroad while gaining a unique insight into the Japanese culture.
Volunteering and Community Service classes. Our students have volunteered at all the Japan Festivals in Boston. We are excited to return again, after several years due to COVID. We anticipate many of our 160 students will volunteer, about 10 will dance and we will have a booth.
Other local volunteer sites include: Cradles to Crayons, Community Servings, and the Boston Marathon.
We also encourage students to go off campus and meet people via various local events, such as the Wake Up the Earth festival in Jamaica Plain.
The Friendship Program connects local elementary school aged kids with their peers from Japan. It is one of our most immersive programs for our youngest students. It is a summer program for 10 days.
We have a lot to offer the Boston community and want to be your hub for Japanese culture. Please come to campus for Japanese Classes and/or an event.
Also, please visit our booth at the Japan Festival Boston where Showa students and staff will be to explain more about Showa Boston and our programs. There will also be complimentary crafts and Soran Bushi dance performance. Hope to see you at the Japan Festival in Boston Common!
· For SBI events info, please check: Showa Boston Institute Website
· If you have questions, please contact SBI @ social@showaboston.edu