Building Human Connection Beyond the Classroom: A Japanese Cultural Workshop Series

Abstract

As artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue to reshape educational environments, concerns have emerged regarding the potential loss of human connection, sense of belonging, and student engagement. This is particularly important in language learning contexts, where motivation, confidence, and sustained participation are often closely connected to interpersonal interaction. This presentation explores how in-person, co-curricular cultural programming may support these human dimensions of learning.

From Fall 2025 to Spring 2026, a weekly 45-minute Japanese cultural workshop series was held at the Japanese cultural hub in the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center at Utah State University. Initially designed for students studying Japanese, the workshops gradually attracted a broader audience, including students with little or no prior language experience but an interest in Japanese culture. Each session followed a consistent structure—icebreaker, brief cultural introduction, hands-on activity, and reflection—and featured activities such as origami, seasonal traditions (e.g., Setsubun), kendama, way of tea, and summer kimono experiences.

Workshop attendance generally ranged from 6 to 25 participants per session, with both returning participants and newcomers attending throughout the year. Informal end-of-semester feedback suggested that many students viewed the workshops as a welcoming space to connect with others while engaging with Japanese culture. Sessions involving tangible and interactive activities, such as way of tea experiences, often appeared to encourage particularly strong engagement. At the same time, the program also faced challenges related to outreach, consistency of participation, and sustaining student involvement over time.

A notable development of the program was its gradual transition toward student-led facilitation in Spring 2026. While participation fluctuated during this transition, the experience suggested both the possibilities and challenges of increasing student ownership within co-curricular programming.

Drawing from these experiences, this presentation reflects on how out-of-class, in-person cultural learning spaces can complement technology-mediated learning by fostering connection, engagement, and belonging. It also discusses practical considerations for designing sustainable and inclusive programs that center human relationships in the age of AI.

Presenters