This semester, students in the Hybrid Japanese I and Japanese III courses enjoyed two special community events: an Origami/Game Hour in October and a Karaoke Hour in November. Each event drew about 20 participants, creating a lively and welcoming space for students to interact outside the classroom. These gatherings were designed with a specific purpose in mind—because students in both hybrid levels work together on a collaborative project later in the semester, offering opportunities to meet and connect beforehand can help strengthen communication, reduce psychological distance, and make collaboration smoother.

This initiative builds on what was done last year, but with a more intentional focus. After gathering ideas from students about the cultural activities they were most interested in, the Origami and Japanese games sessions were carried out in a student-led format, making the activities more engaging and encouraging natural conversation and meaningful connection. By offering structured yet relaxed cultural experiences, we hope to see how early interaction can enhance collaborative work and deepen the sense of community within the hybrid program. Through these events, the program aims to support the hybrid courses’ collaborative tasks and promote community building among students. Photos from this semester’s Origami/Game Hour and Karaoke Hour capture the energy, fun, and engagement.