Talladega College Students Receive Free Trip to Japan

Twenty-three Talladega College students were recently selected to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan via the Kakehashi Project Study Tour. The tour, which took take place Dec. 14-22, 2019, was paid for by the Government of Japan. It was designed to help participants gain an understanding of Japan’s economy, history, culture, politics and diplomatic relations. Talladega College is a UNCF-member institution.

A series of informative training sessions were scheduled to help the students prepare for the trip.

They recently met with the Honorary Consul General of Japan, Mark Jackson, who informed the students that there are over 170 Japanese owned or affiliated firms in the state of Alabama. He discussed Japanese culture, food, geography, money and tradition.

The students learned small but powerful details about conducting business in Japan. During the training session, they practiced Japanese customs such as bowing and learned the Japanese way of extending and receiving business cards. They also discussed job opportunities in Japan.

Students selected for the trip include De’Jha Billingsley, Kalyn Black, William Burks IV, Kirstin Crook, Ivree Datcher, Jamal Hairston, Hannah Knapp, Christopher Mascia, Arthur McElrath, Kamari McHenry, Shakayah Midgette, Amani Myers, Summer Payne, Tamera Prince, Jazsmin Mason Ramsey, Nyresha Robertson, Alexis Scott, Gantonio Stubbs, Phillip Thompson, Garrett Vick, Bre’Ania Weldon, Kendra Williams and James Yeager.

They will be accompanied by Talladega College President Dr. Billy C. Hawkins and First Lady Lucy Weber Hawkins, Provost Lisa Long, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Seddrick T. Hill Sr and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Jeffery T. Burgin, Jr.