Sister schools

During the school week, the students from Japan presented about Japanese culture and joined their host students to experience what school is like in America. On Thursday, the students from Kasugaoka met with Mayor Frey, toured the University of Minnesota, and visited Anthony Middle School. For their final evening at Southwest on Thursday, there was a Farewell Potluck Dinner where memories of the last week were shared and the students from Kasugaoka performed a traditional festival dance.
Southwest parent, Erin Hester remarked, “The value we get through this program is insurmountable. All the students learn more than just their languages (either English or Japanese). They also learn culture, understanding and the importance of building lifelong relationships. In worlds that seem so far apart they bond over being teenagers and just wanting to have fun with one another through sharing their music, art, games, fashion, sports and movies. We learn a little more each time we do this.”
Minneapolis Southwest High School and Osaka Prefectural Kasugaoka Senior High School in Osaka, Japan officially established a Sister School Agreement on Dec. 2, 2013 after several years of exchanges beginning in 2005. Principal Hatanaka came to the United States to sign the agreement in order to present the document from his school to the Education Department in Japan.
Over 500 Japanese and American students have participated in the cultural exchange, staying with their respective host families and being part of the host’s school. The motto of Kasugaoka is independence, autonomy, and freedom. The reason that the students at Kasugaoka don’t have to wear a school uniform and have freedom is that the students formed a movement in 1974. Independence means that the students take control of many school events.
On Wednesday there was no school due to a snow day, so the students from Japan (who don’t get that much snow at home in Osaka), took part in Minnesota traditions such as sledding and snow blowing for the first time.
One comment I remember, paraphrased, from a Kasugaoka student: For my first visit to the USA I was 50% excited and 50% nervous. But after my host family was so kind, I was 100% excited,” said Southwest High School Japanese Teacher Nathan Hamel.
At the farewell dinner, a Southwest student told their host student: “Thank you so much for coming. You were a light for our family. Seriously, this is the most fun we have had since before COVID.”