Middle and High School Students from Sendai Travel to California for a Cultural Exchange and Homestay Experience

Six middle and high school students from Sendai were selected to travel abroad on the TOMODACHI Southern California-Sendai Youth Cultural Exchange Program. The week-long experience from July 22 to August 2, 2016 was a life-changing experience for the Japanese students, as well as for the American host families and volunteers.

During the program, the participants experienced living in the United States with an American family, had extensive contact with Americans though social and sightseeing activities, and were exposed to American culture and values. They interacted and shared their experiences with American children and were presented with opportunities to learn about the history and contributions of Japanese Americans.

The participants returned home refreshed and the program also established solid personal connections between the youth of Sendai and Los Angeles.