JICA Samoan scholars (Faafetai Vaevaina and Gafatasi Su’a) performing the ‘taulauga’ with OSA members during the Entrance Ceremony and to promote the Samoan culture.
The Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) held its Spring Entrance Ceremony on April 1, 2023, to welcome all new students from around the world on campus.
New students were joined by their parents, guardians, and family members to celebrate the beginning of their university journey in Ritsumeikan APU at Oita prefecture in one of Japan’s southern islands, Kyushu. The entrance ceremony featured international food booths and multicultural performances from across the world.
The multicultural performances include the performance from the Oceania Student’s Association (OSA). In its first attempt to revive OSA after putting it on hold for some years, the association was very fortunate to receive a special request from APU to take part in this prestigious ceremony by showcasing our culture in the art of dance.
Our performances wrapped up the multicultural performances of the ceremony, however, without a doubt OSA blew the audiences away by performing three cultural dances; starting with mixture of Hawaiian hula and Tahitian Fa’arapu, and concluded by the Samoan Taualuga. The audience applauded and enjoyed the OSA performances.
OSA members who performed are mostly from Oceania countries including Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Samoa, and Fiji as well as other international students (Iran, Japan, Africa) who found a home in OSA.
JICA Samoan scholars (Faafetai Vaevaina and Gafatasi Su’a) had the opportunity to perform the Taulauga dance with OSA members during the Entrance Ceremony and to promote the Samoan culture.
Currently, there are 8 Samoans studying in various universities in Japan on full scholarship awards under JICA’s Scholarship Program.
