Students are Off to Japan

Ten high school students have been chosen to go to Japan on May 20 through the 31. 

“For the most part I’m not nervous at all, but the only thing that makes me a little nervous would most definitely be the language barrier,” junior Joseph Hoffman said. 

The students are going to Japan to experience a different culture, get to know different people, and be able to hear a language that is not spoken often in America.  The students will be traveling on three flights before arriving in Fukuoka, Japan. They will stay there for the night and then take a bus to Ozu where they will be for the remainder of their trip. 

“I decided to apply to go on this trip because throughout my childhood my family has been very involved with the Hastings International Exchange Organization (HIEO). We have hosted students from Ozu four times in the past, and I wanted to get the chance to travel to Ozu and stay with a host family there,” junior Kelyn Henry-Perlich said.

The students had to send in an application to be considered for the trip. The application had to include two letters of recommendation, the students’ transcript, and their resume. They also had to be interviewed in front of a panel at Hastings College. 

“I was very excited and also a bit surprised when I got chosen. I felt very fortunate to have this opportunity again, especially since COVID-19 canceled my initial trip to Japan in 2020,” senior Xander Uhrmacher said. 

Some activities they have planned are going to Mount Aso which is a volcano near Ozu. They will also go to Kikuchi Gorge where they will visit some schools, Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Park which is a traditional garden, and Nagasaki. The students will also learn how to make Japanese noodles while they are there. 

“Personally, I am most excited for new relationships. I love meeting new people and getting to hear their stories, perspectives on life, and their food, especially the sushi,” Uhrmacher said.

Many of the students found out about the trip from an email sent by their counselors. One student in particular, Kelyn Henry-Perlich, already knew about the trip since her family has been involved with HIEO before. 

“I think it is a little hard to leave. But, at the end of the day, I will only be gone for ten days, so that’s the least of my worries,” Hoffman said.