WKU Global hosts Ohanami Festival at Centennial Mall

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – On Wednesday afternoon, Western Kentucky University’s study abroad program WKU Global celebrated blooming cherry blossom trees and Japanese culture with the Ohanami Festival at Centennial Mall.

Numerous on-campus organizations and local businesses were at the festival Wednesday to help students celebrate Ohanami, which in Japan is a celebration of spring under the blooming cherry blossoms.

In Japan, the celebration is held between the months of March and May and signifies the start of spring with food, games and picnics under the cherry blossoms.

There were also opportunities for students to learn about the many study abroad programs that WKU has to offer.

They had the chance to look into the different study abroad opportunities not only in Japan but also other countries, as WKU has over 100 study abroad partners.

The event gave students interested in studying abroad in Japan a chance to learn more about the culture, something that will help them strengthen the already solid relationship between Japan and the Bluegrass State.

“I think, to understand our students, to understand that there’s a really important relationship here between Kentucky and Japan, and especially for what it means for jobs for people here in Kentucky,” said John Sunnygard, associate provost for Global Learning and International Affairs at Western Kentucky University. 

If you or someone you know are interested in studying abroad with Western Kentucky University, visit https://www.wku.edu/studyabroad/ to learn more.