This January, IPA had the opportunity to welcome international student visitors from Korea and Japan across our Elementary, Middle School, and High School divisions. Over the course of several weeks, students connected with peers from abroad through shared classroom experiences, cultural exchange, and everyday moments on campus.
Sejong International Academy Visit
Earlier this month, IPA welcomed a group of students from Sejong International Academy in Gimpo, Korea. The visiting students joined our Kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms, participating in academic activities and experiencing daily life at IPA.
For our youngest students, the visit was a meaningful introduction to cultural exchange. Learning, playing, and collaborating with new friends helped students discover similarities that extend beyond language and geography.
Nagaoka Junior High School Visit
IPA also welcomed 15 seventh-grade students from Nagaoka City, Japan, marking the third year of our exchange program with Nagaoka Junior High School. This visit continued a growing partnership built on shared learning and mutual connection.
A highlight of the relationship came during IPA’s visit to Nagaoka last June, when members of our community were able to reunite with students, now in eighth grade, who had previously visited our campus. This exchange is part of a growing relationship with Nagaoka Junior High School that extends beyond campus visits. Read more about IPA’s Japan study tour and last summer’s visit to Nagaoka.
During the January visit, Nagaoka students joined IPA seventh-grade classes, including PE and core academic subjects, spent recess time together in the Gulab and Indru Watumull Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), and participated in a cultural exchange program. The day included a student presentation from Nagaoka, collaborative art-based activities with IPA seventh graders, and lunch together, creating space for conversation, curiosity, and connection.
Busan Computer School Visit
Later in the month, IPA welcomed high school students from Busan Computer School in Busan, Korea. The visiting students spent the day engaging with IPA’s high school program, interacting with students and faculty, and gaining insight into academic life at IPA.
Learning Through Cultural Exchange
These international visits offered IPA students valuable opportunities to experience different cultures and perspectives without leaving campus. For visiting students, the exchanges provided a firsthand look at learning in an independent, college-preparatory school environment in Hawaiʻi.
IPA’s global connections continue to grow, building on long-standing international partnerships and reinforcing our commitment to preparing students to engage thoughtfully with the world. Experiences like these – and our International Cultural and Educational Program with Instituto Thomas Jefferson (ITJ), Campus Querétaro, IPA’s sister school in Mexico – help bring learning to life and support our mission to cultivate value-driven students who positively impact their communities and beyond.
