Jillanne Thomas is pleased to be working with students from Kobe Women's University this semester to discover elements of community that bind people together. Like her students, Jillanne is not from Claremont, or California, so she is often surprised and intrigued by cultural differences from her Midwestern hometown of Indianapolis. Here in Claremont, though, she finds a nice balance between cosmopolitan worldviews and small town charm. She hopes that with 11 extra sets of eyes and ears she will discover new insights on the community in Claremont and at Pitzer College that escape the notice of Americans. Finally, she is excited to see the class grow into its own small community as the students learn about what they have in common with their American friends and families.