Professor Keiko Tsurumi was so inspired by the growth and resilience of the students who participated in the Mt. SAC Osaka Program that she wanted to share their experiences with all of us. As you'll hear, the program is the result of years of planning and coordination, a testament to Tsurumi-Sensei's dedication to supporting student learning.

As you listen to Professor Tsurumi, and students Gio and Diego, you'll hear the impact of combining high expectations with resolute compassion for students. This study abroad program set a high bar, and yet, the students continued with intention, to put themselves in positions to learn and grow, like asking strangers for directions in a new language, even when Google Maps is a click away.

They had difficult moments that tested them, but you'll hear the way they worked through it and found ways to engage in immersive learning with growing confidence.

We're excited to share this conversation on experiential learning beyond borders- it offers an opportunity to reflect on the power of immersive education and consider ways we can apply similar approaches to learning locally. Enjoy!

Resources:

Mt. San Antonio College Japanese Program and Osaka Program

Osaka Study Abroad Program January 2025

World Languages Department. "Osaka Japan Study Abroad!" Mt. SAC.

World Languages Department. Mt. SAC "Cultural Immersion with Students from Japan." Mt. SAC.

Olson, Cassidy and Robbie Doctor. "Folded artistry – Mt. SAC hosts origami workshop:

How to fold like a pro from a pro." 26 March, 2024, SAC Media.

Young, Adam, "Abroad and ambitious: Meet Yui Nakamura." 13 April 2023, SAC Media.

The Japanese program hosts five students from our partner university, J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo, for two weeks.
Mt. San Antonio College Study Abroad

Background on episode topics

"Lolita fashion." Wikipedia.

Omura, Yuto. "Homemade Takoyaki Recipe (Japanese Fried Octopus Balls)" @SudachiRecipes, YouTube, 8 Jul, 2025.

Run Time: 22:54

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE

What does skating and environmental advocacy have in common? As it turns out, a lot. This episode of the Mt. San Antonio College Podcast introduces award-winning skateboarder and environmentalist Peggy Oki, who visited campus to talk about her legacy skating, but also how it opened her eyes to the natural world.

Hosts Chisa Uyeki and Ivan Sanchez meet students creating their own skateboard art and art letters, shedding light on the intersections between skate culture, creativity, and environmental activism, and proving the value of creative approaches to advocacy.

Resources:

THE ART OF SKATE: Activism, Art and Design show continues through November 13, 2025 at the Diana Berger Art Gallery Instagram @mtsac_dianabergergallery

To learn more about skater, artist, and activist Peggy Oki, check out https://www.peggyoki.com/ including her activism for Whales and Dolphins through the Origami Whale Project

Peggy encouraged action to protect wildlife.

- To learn more about marine mammals currently protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act check out Cetacean.org, including actions you can take to protect these animals.

- ECOS (Environmental Conservation Online System) US endangered animals list provides information about each animal protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Mt. SAC Fine Art and Commercial Art Programs that participated in the Art of Skate Festival included: Mt. SAC Graphic Design & Illustration: Shaping the next generation of creative professionals and Mt. SAC Printmaking.

Welcome back to the Mt. San Antonio College Podcast! Hosts Chisa Uyeki and Ivan Sanchez introduce us to the work of Dr. Lisbet Sanchez, who reflects on the power of language and describes encouraging her students to write poetry in Spanish or in any way that feels natural. When she did, she witnessed a transformation: as students were given freedom and agency, their use of Spanish blossomed—from a mix to writing full poems.

Tune in on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Resources:

Link: https://www.mtsac.edu/languages/

Link: https://www.mtsac.edu/languages/_blog/08-21-2025-lizbet-sanchez-spanish-heritage-students.html

Link: https://poets.org/poem/neighborhood-los-angeles

Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands = La Frontera. Second edition. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 1999. Print. Available at Mt. SAC Library General Collection 811.54 An98b 1999

Garcia, Gina Ann. Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions : Opportunities for Colleges and Universities. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2019. Print. Available at Mt. SAC Library General Collection 378.1 G1659b