Ali Schulz
Junior Editor
Webster Groves hosted 12 Japanese students and one teacher from March 6, until March 16. This was part of an exchange between the United States and Suwa, Japan.
Teacher Betty Roberts helped organize activities for the Japanese students to participate in. Throughout their stay, the students got tours of WGHS, Webster, Rock Hill, Shrewsbury and Glendale. In addition, they met Mayor Laura Arnold.
The students also attended classes at the high school. On March 8, they traveled along with their host students, but March 11, through March 14, the students will attend several elective classes throughout the day.
“So many teachers have helped with this and volunteered to host the students in their classes. They include drama, dance, art, photography, AMPED, Foods and Electronics class. Dr. [Kerry] Arens will also host them one afternoon for team building activities,” Roberts said.
While Roberts was in charge of organizing the school side of things, the St. Louis-Suwa Sister City committee organized the host families. The hosts had to provide a private room and meals for their students.
Senior Kyle Sidwell hosted a Japanese student during their stay. He decided to host a student because he was able to go to Japan for the Webster side of the exchange, and he wanted to be able to make sure the program continues on his side.
“Personally I am most excited to simply show my host brother around the United States and what makes us unique. Remembering how amazed I was by Japan, whether it be the architecture, food, daily life or education, I am most excited to try to replicate a similar experience for my host brother, especially now that I have seen what the exchange can look like going the other way,” Sidwell said.
Senior Hunter Farish, who hosted student Coco Miyazawa, shared similar thoughts.
“I would say that I’m most excited for Coco to gather a deeper understanding of American culture in a way that leaves a lasting impact and leads to further exchange between our two countries. Every country has its own little quirks and specialties, and I hope that Coco is able to gather a more personal understanding of these unique aspects of American life,” Farish said.
About what she is most looking forward to, Miyazawa said, “I’m very excited to see the zoo. I want to see many animals.”
The program has been renewed with this exchange, and Roberts hopes that it will continue with alternating outbound and inbound trips.
“This partnership allows students to apply to experience Japan first hand and also showcase our community here at Webster as a host family,” Roberts said.
 |
Ali Schulz- Junior EditorThis will be Ali Schulz’s second year on ECHO Staff. She also made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. She was opinion/news editor her first year on staff |
Support Our Sponsors
