International Student Discovers Germany

at Bemidji State University

Japanese native, Kaneko, Fascinated by Different Cultures 

By David Teeples

Chikako Kaneko, like many other international students, is multilingual. She speaks Japanese, English, and, as she puts it, “can partly figure out what a Chinese sentence is talking about.” But unlike many of her peers Kaneko is taking on the difficult task of learning a new language, German, through her second language, English.  Not only is Kaneko studying German but also she also actively involves herself in the German Club and served as the Treasurer for this year’s Festival of Nations event. 

Kaneko was actively involved in the
Festival of Nations.  This year's theme was
"Feel the Cultures Feel the World"
Photo by David Teeples

Kaneko is from Gifu, Japan, a city located near the center of the island country.  She now studies accounting with a minor in German at Bemidji State University, over 8,000 miles away from home.  She found BSU online and said that the low tuition prices were largest factor in her decision to study in northern Minnesota.  Her interest for German began when she was in middle school.  She became a fan of the German soccer team and has been interested in the language and culture ever since. 

Learning a new language always has its challenges, but Kaneko faces some extra challenges most of her classmates do not.  “One of the most difficult things is first language interference,” explained Assistant Professor of German Lisa Graefe, “Another thing that can be difficult is finding the learning style of the student.”  Kaneko expresses similar challenges, “I have a lot of trouble with the spelling of [German] words.”

During the Festival of Nations Kaneko served Japanese food and wore a traditional Kimono.  She also helped served German food and helped create the German booth.  Thus she represented both Japan and Germany.  Kaneko also participated in the set up effort.  She worked on making Japanese food to serve at the festival and helped with the German Club poster by taking care of supplies and even providing snacks for the volunteers who contributed time to create the booth.  “Chikako adds some great energy to the German Club,” remarked German Club president Jordan Shearer.  

Kaneko finds learning about other cultures very exciting.
Photo by David Teeples

Festival of Nations, an annual event on the BSU campus, attracts students and community members of all ages.  This year they celebrated the 42^nd anniversary of the event with the theme “Feel the Culture, Feel the World.”  Kaneko was elected to be the Treasurer for the event by fellow international students her at BSU.  As treasurer she was in charge of making sure every group serving food and setting up a booth received funds. 

 Kaneko feels the Festival of Nations is very important event on the BSU campus.  “It is a great chance for both international and American students to encounter a variety of cultures.” Kaneko explains, “When we only know our own way, we consider others to be wrong.”   She shows great passion for learning about different cultures, “It is fun to know different people in different cultures.”