Fourth Annual Coming of Age Ceremony Held at LWC
Pictured: From left -- Keiko Kimura, Saya Fukuda, Nanami Kawajiri, Keina Kotani, Mayor of Columbia Pamela Hoots, Hanayo Kawasumi, Shiori Abe and Tomomi Onoda.
Friday, January 25, marked the Fourth Annual Coming of Age Ceremony for international students studying abroad at Lindsey Wilson College. Traditionally, the Coming of Age ceremony -- also known as Seijin no Hi -- is held throughout city halls in Japan every January. The ceremony, which dates to the 8th century, celebrates when a person in Japan reaches legal adulthood, which is the age of 20. Seven LWC students from Japan were recognized during the ceremony on Friday at the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.
Classmates, faculty, staff and area residents gathered in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center as Mayor of Columbia Pamela Hoots congratulated the seven Japanese students and noted important world news events since their birth.
"Twenty years has passed and you are one step closer to being a member of society," Hoots said. "Dream big and be hopeful.”
Sabine Eastham, Director of the International Student Program, helped plan and organize the event again this year. Eastham says that sharing rich experiences is one of the goals of LWC international program.
"We are so pleased that we’ve been able to make this event possible for the fourth year in a row," Eastham said. "Exchange students are only here one year, so we want to give everyone as many experiences as possible."
In addition to holding events such as the Coming of Age Day ceremony, Eastham said LWC's International Student Program also looks for way to give back to Columbia-Adair County. The program holds several events during International Education Week that are open to the public, and LWC international students visit Adair County schools throughout the year.
During their time in Columbia-Adair County, LWC's international students are paired with area families, who introduce them to Southcentral Kentucky culture and "open their hearts and homes to welcome the students," Eastham said.
For more information about the Coming of Age Ceremony and the International Student Program at Lindsey Wilson College, contact Sabine Eastham at 270-384-8236 or via email at easthams@lindsey.edu. More photos from the event can be found at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmzRifd1.