This piece is of Language and World Business Students during the Kakehashi project in December of 2019, taken by faculty member Professor Lisa Parker. Parker serves as the Assistant Director of Language and World Business and is a Senior Lecturer of Hispanic Studies. Noriko Horiguchi, assistant professor, and chair of the Japanese Program, applied for and was awarded participation in the Kakehashi Project. According to the artist, “the Kakehashi Project is a gift from the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and the Japanese government, and it was awarded to UT as a result of our concerted efforts to strengthen UT-Japan relations. UT was accepted as one of four universities in the U.S. to participate in this cultural exchange opportunity. The Japanese word ‘kakehashi’ means ‘bridge,’ which symbolizes the hope that participants will form lasting relationships with Japan and its people and serve as bridges between nations and cultures. All expenses for 23 UT students and 2 supervisors were covered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MFAJ). The Kakehashi Project serves as another step to strengthen the MFLL Japanese Program and MFLL/LWB-Japanese and give UT students more opportunities to engage in Japanese studies.”