This article is contributed by Akiko Taira, a Japanese Department Chair at Island Pacific Academy.
This year has been the third year since ISLAND PACIFIC ACADEMY officially signed a sister school agreement with Sendai Ikuei Gakuen (SIG) School. Since then, students from both schools have been interacting through visits, exchanging letters, Skype conferences, etc. Sendai Ikuei Gakuen school is the first school to offer the International Baccalaureate dual languages (English and Japanese) program in Japan. As both schools are the IB World School, we can share the same curricula, philosophy, and mission of the IB programs. At the same time, we can learn from each other regarding how we practice the IB programs in individual settings.
From January 21 to 28, 2018, five IB Diploma students and Ms. Mariko Ishida, an IB coordinator and a curriculum manager at Sendai Ikuei Gakuen (SIG) School, came to IPA to interact with the community at IPA and experience the IB classes.
During this exchange, four generous IPA ʻohana kindly volunteered to be host families for the exchange students. First and foremost, these host families made their time in Hawaiʻi so memorable and special. Each host family gave them the gifts of their lifetime. Japanese students could enjoy beautiful sunsets, beaches, the host sister’s baseball game, studying together with the host sister/brother, and various warm family time together. On campus, Japanese students experienced various IB classes such as Theory of Knowledge, Math, Science, History, English and so on as well as interacting with all the Japanese classes from Grades 6-12.
One of the IPA students reflected that “what worked well was that they were able to go to the classes of multiple students throughout the grade levels. This allowed them to interact with us and become integrated into our school. I enjoyed being able to talk to them at lunch, during homeroom, and in classes too. ” Another student also commented that “it was great that we could have exposure to the Japanese culture and learn it with the first-hand experience. This experience made me want to learn Japanese more and go to Japan someday. ”
Students from Sendai shared their reflections in their journals – ” We were so touched by Aloha spirit that people at IPA gave us. They were so friendly, open-minded, and kind. We cannot thank enough for our host families for their thoughtfulness. We were nervous at first in visiting all the classes, but we could experience hands-on learning that students and the teachers interact actively. It was also wonderful to meet all the students in Japanese classes. We were inspired to see how students learn Japanese language and culture diligently and genuinely.”
Thanks to the hospitality and kindness towards the students and the teacher from our sister school, our friends from Japan made great memories that will last a lifetime. This summer, some of the IPA students who were the host families will visit the Sendai Ikuei Gakuen students in Japan and experience their school and a home-stay. They will nurture their friendship by making more shared memories. Additionally, they will deepen their understanding of diversity, compassion, and international mindedness.
It is our sincere hope that these friendships keep growing from the seeds that we planted.
