Familiar face to people in Mayville getting ready to head back to Japan

MAYVILLE, N.D. — It’s been an eventful two years for Aiko Hatano.

She’s been working as a volunteer Japanese Outreach Coordinator at Mayville State University, putting on events and presentations to educate North Dakotans about Japanese Culture.

She’s had to make a few adjustments. She was taken aback by the flat horizons, and North Dakota winters were definitely a curveball.

“I didn’t know any anything about winter and snow because I’m from Tokyo area,” Hatano said. “Actually my friends helped me to get scrapers and shovels.”

Despite the speed bumps, she says she’s been embraced by the community. When she came here, she didn’t know a soul. Now, countless new friends.

Over at the United Church of Christ in Mayville, the congregation welcomed her with open arms.

“Here at UCC church is my family,” she said.

She even joined the chuch’s bell choir. Today, ahead of a farewell send-off at the church, they’re practicing for a performance of Simple Gifts.

Naturally, at times she’s felt a little homesick. Her family, friends, and her life are all waiting back home in Japan.

But she’s not going home empty handed. Aiko’s learned a lot about America in her time here. Apparently, North Dakotans are unusually patient when it comes to road trips.

“They don’t mind driving for a long time,” she said. “Like they just they drive to Minneapolis in a weekend.”

Along with lessons learned, new friends that she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life, even across the ocean.

“I’m so excited to have all my friends here,” she said of her upcoming farewell party. “And at my church, like, at home.”

Before she heads back in July, but not before hosting Japanfest in Grand Forks at the town square downtown, Saturday, July 8.

Mike McGurran has been a reporter and anchor at WDAY-TV since 2021.