Promoting mindfulness, relaxation and cultural appreciation. Origami, a Japanese word meaning fold [ori] paper [gami], has been around since 105 A.D.

Mt. SAC’s International Student Center hosted the Origami Essentials: Learn to Fold Like a Pro event last Thursday, March 21.

The event was hosted in building 9C-5 in the International Students Center. In the center, several booths were set up to allow students to try their hand at folding origami and Japanese snacks.

Most of the students in attendance came to support their friends in the Japanese Program. The program has been hosting five students from Oberlin University, a partner university in Japan.

During the student’s two-week visit, they had the opportunity to volunteer in Japanese classes and cultural workshops.

The Japanese program at Mt. SAC has been participating in hosting students from Oberlin University since 2021.

Ayaka Funaki, 20, a student at Oberlin University majoring in Japanese, helped oversee the Japanese snacks station. She shared with the students at the event which snacks were her favorite.

“I’m excited to have people try something new,” Funaki said when asked what her favorite part of the origami event was.

Many students from Mt. SAC’s advanced Japanese language course, Japanese 5, attended the event. Most of the students hosted by Mt. SAC from Japan are enrolled in the advanced class and have formed friendships.

Yanlokchan, 20, a mechanical engineering major, is in JAPN 5 and came to the event.

“I was learning Japanese, I just wanted to have a farewell with the Japanese students,” Yanlokchan said.

The five Japanese students who were visiting Mt. SAC and the United States for two weeks have since returned to Japan after their final field trip to the Huntington Library.

The ISC always has events and workshops that are open to all students and encourages students to stop by for a visit at building 9C-5. Depending on the week, students can expose themselves to various cultures from clubs and organizations here at Mt. SAC.

How to fold an origami butterfly

For those unable to attend, SAC Media has you covered with a quick tutorial on how to fold an origami butterfly. It may seem tricky at first, but within two minutes, you will be able to dazzle your friends with this impressive folding art piece.