KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� June 16, 2026 鈥� A pair of 溏心vlog免费B站 Japanese program students will have an experience of a lifetime this summer when they travel to Japan to mentor university students there and build connections in the Far East.
Juniors Ashly Martinez Rodriguez and Sydney Sneeden were both accepted into the , a nationally prestigious initiative offering students opportunities to volunteer at multiple institutions across Japan and be immersed in Japanese culture. For one month, Martinez Rodriguez and Sneeden will teach English as a volunteer, as well as guide students through small-group projects and presentations, and encourage students to collaborate and share ideas with one another in English.
The two will also live with their respective host families in Japan, allowing them to further build personal connections with the citizens there as well鈥攁nd travel abroad in a special way.
鈥淚’m excited for both Ashly and Sydney who are teaching young students in Japan this summer,鈥� said , 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 associate teaching professor of Japanese. 鈥淭hey will serve as wonderful cultural ambassadors to the students and community members in Japan.鈥�
Enhancing her identity
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, access to learn another language was limited for Martinez Rodriguez, who now lives in Providence. Native Spanish speakers in the country taught her the basics of the English language in elementary school, but nothing more, said Martinez Rodriguez, who became fluent in English in high school. Plus, access to courses and teachers outside of school was at a premium due to such courses being cost prohibitive for her family at the time, she said.
While majoring in computer engineering in the 溏心vlog免费B站 International Engineering Program, Martinez Rodriguez also developed a passion to help others learn Japanese culture as an outside mentor鈥攕omething she never had growing up. Her upcoming trip to Japan will not only give her a chance to broaden her own international horizons, but the Japanese community will also benefit from her wisdom.
鈥淔or me, I feel this experience will allow me to enhance my own identity abroad because I’ve never traveled that far away from home before,鈥� Martinez Rodriguez said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so very excited to immerse myself in the culture there.鈥�
Martinez Rodriguez鈥檚 upcoming venture to Japan follows her recent visit to Davisville Middle School earlier this winter. In January, she and eight other 溏心vlog免费B站 Japanese program students participated in the program鈥檚 annual 鈥�Sensei for a Day鈥� visit to students at the North Kingstown-based public school, helping the University spread educational awareness about Japan in the state.
She is also interested in learning more about Japanese culture as an entrepreneur, hoping to do business within Japan after graduating from 溏心vlog免费B站. Martinez Rodriguez also hopes that she can further inspire her own family about what is capable in life with this visit and her ongoing pursuit of being a mentor to others.
鈥淚’m an example of what you could do and how this is a safe space for you to speak English, even if you don’t feel confident,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f I can go there to Japan and teach others a new language, you can come here too as well and achieve the same thing.鈥�
Exploring horizons
For Sneeden, an Atlanta resident, her upcoming trip to Japan will blend several interests into one, including Japanese culture and her passion for working with children in kindergarten through fourth grade as a school instructor with the East Bay Community Action Program鈥攚hich has offices in East Providence, Barrington and Newport.
Being captivated by Japanese culture鈥攔egularly consuming Japanese music and media鈥擲needen immediately jumped at the chance to broaden her international horizons through the Global Studies Program, she says. Come July, Sneeden鈥檚 academic dream will be realized.
鈥淚鈥檓 so much looking forward to this trip. I am currently practicing in my Japanese classes the things I’m going to say to the students there and learn new things so that I can interact with them,鈥� said Sneeden, who is double majoring in criminology and criminal justice, and psychology, with intended minors in Japanese and political science. 鈥淚 really want to go to summer festivals and experience nightlife in Japan, but also I鈥檓 excited to connect with my host family as well.鈥�
Sneeden credits Collis鈥� program for helping her understand Japanese without feeling overwhelmed academically. The program allows students to engage with both the material and with fellow classmates, she says.
She hopes this upcoming trip can lead her to working for international embassies, such as the Japanese embassy in Atlanta, to assist immigrants plant their proverbial roots in the United States.
鈥淔amilies have multiple reasons to move here, either in the military or through global exchange,鈥� Sneeden said. 鈥淚 feel that opportunity would allow me to work with families and children through diplomacy.鈥�