Students from Ridgeview Charter School and Riverwood International Charter School will jet off to Japan this month
Published: Thu Mar 15 2018 00:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
For Ridgeview Charter School's (RCS) Japanese teacher Tomomi Davis, the educational travel experience is coming full circle. The Japanese national originally came to the U.S. to study as a high school student, and now will be taking a few specially-chosen seventh and eighth grade students on a 10-day trip to Japan. They will join Japanese language students from Riverwood International Charter School (RICS).
Funded entirely by the Japanese government through the Kakehashi Project, a large-scale youth exchange program between Japan and the United States, Ridgeview and Riverwood were among only four schools chosen to participate (RCS is the only middle school) in this trip of a lifetime. Riverwood's International Baccalaureate status and Ridgeview's Middle Years Program (MYP), the precursor education program that prepares middle school students for the IB Diploma program, made a difference in their qualifications for the trip.
"I am thrilled about this opportunity for my students," says Sensei Davis, nothing that 19 students will be making the trip. "I have been wanting to take my students to Japan for years. The reason why I am here today as a teacher is because I spent two weeks in Knoxville, TN when I was in high school."
The Kakehashi Project is commissioned by the Japan - U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan) while The Japan Foundation organizes the project in cooperation with The Laurasian Institution. Promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the project aims to heighten potential interest in Japan and increase the number of overseas visitors to the country, as well as enhance international understanding of the "Japan brand". Through the activities and interactions, visiting students are encouraged to develop a deeper mutual understanding among the people of the Japan and the U.S., enable future leaders of Japan - U.S. exchanges to form networks, and motivate young people to take active roles at the global level in the future.
Dr. Asuza Callaway, Riverwood's Japanese teacher and Japanese National Honor Society advisor, though not accompanying these students on this trip, took some of her students to Japan in the summer of 2017. "They were very moved by their host families' hospitality and kindness and loved Japanese food and sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto. Everyone wants to go back to Japan!"
The trip will take place March 19 – 27 and will include some sightseeing in Tokyo and "home stay" with Japanese host families for two days in the Tochigi Prefecture.
Photos L-r:
Front row (on their knees)
RCS Teacher Tomomi Davis, Sharon Lim, Brooklyn Woodberry, Chloe Gruensfelder, Tamia A. Davis, RCS teacher Adrian Harris
Second row (middle)
RCS Assistant Principal Dr. Kathleen Mccaffrey, Deputy Consul General Yutaka Nakamura of Japan, Fulton County Schools Board Member Gail Dean, Nick Arzate, Kaci Kruglewicz, Angel Martinez, Zach Cigelske, Justin Williams, FCS Area Superintendent Dr. Nathalie Henderson, RCS Principal Mr. Opie Blackwell, State Superintendent Mr. Richard Woods
Third row (last)
MYP Coordinator Dr. Andrea Von Biberstein, Michael Arsic, Burke Cigelske, Olivia Smith, Kelly Prentice Cooper, Carson Link, Collin Stice, Samantha Dees, Data Support Professional Ms. Sonyja Minor
Published: Thu Mar 15 2018 00:00:00 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)
For Ridgeview Charter School's (RCS) Japanese teacher Tomomi Davis, the educational travel experience is coming full circle. The Japanese national originally came to the U.S. to study as a high school student, and now will be taking a few specially-chosen seventh and eighth grade students on a 10-day trip to Japan. They will join Japanese language students from Riverwood International Charter School (RICS).
Funded entirely by the Japanese government through the Kakehashi Project, a large-scale youth exchange program between Japan and the United States, Ridgeview and Riverwood were among only four schools chosen to participate (RCS is the only middle school) in this trip of a lifetime. Riverwood's International Baccalaureate status and Ridgeview's Middle Years Program (MYP), the precursor education program that prepares middle school students for the IB Diploma program, made a difference in their qualifications for the trip.
"I am thrilled about this opportunity for my students," says Sensei Davis, nothing that 19 students will be making the trip. "I have been wanting to take my students to Japan for years. The reason why I am here today as a teacher is because I spent two weeks in Knoxville, TN when I was in high school."
The Kakehashi Project is commissioned by the Japan - U.S. Educational Commission (Fulbright Japan) while The Japan Foundation organizes the project in cooperation with The Laurasian Institution. Promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the project aims to heighten potential interest in Japan and increase the number of overseas visitors to the country, as well as enhance international understanding of the "Japan brand". Through the activities and interactions, visiting students are encouraged to develop a deeper mutual understanding among the people of the Japan and the U.S., enable future leaders of Japan - U.S. exchanges to form networks, and motivate young people to take active roles at the global level in the future.
Dr. Asuza Callaway, Riverwood's Japanese teacher and Japanese National Honor Society advisor, though not accompanying these students on this trip, took some of her students to Japan in the summer of 2017. "They were very moved by their host families' hospitality and kindness and loved Japanese food and sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto. Everyone wants to go back to Japan!"
The trip will take place March 19 – 27 and will include some sightseeing in Tokyo and "home stay" with Japanese host families for two days in the Tochigi Prefecture.
Photos L-r:
Front row (on their knees)
RCS Teacher Tomomi Davis, Sharon Lim, Brooklyn Woodberry, Chloe Gruensfelder, Tamia A. Davis, RCS teacher Adrian Harris
Second row (middle)
RCS Assistant Principal Dr. Kathleen Mccaffrey, Deputy Consul General Yutaka Nakamura of Japan, Fulton County Schools Board Member Gail Dean, Nick Arzate, Kaci Kruglewicz, Angel Martinez, Zach Cigelske, Justin Williams, FCS Area Superintendent Dr. Nathalie Henderson, RCS Principal Mr. Opie Blackwell, State Superintendent Mr. Richard Woods
Third row (last)
MYP Coordinator Dr. Andrea Von Biberstein, Michael Arsic, Burke Cigelske, Olivia Smith, Kelly Prentice Cooper, Carson Link, Collin Stice, Samantha Dees, Data Support Professional Ms. Sonyja Minor
Students' Reports
“First of all, I saw that America really is an melting pot of different kinds of people! I didn't realize how many different ethnicities and races were in America till I saw that the majority of Japan was filled with Japanese people. . . Another thing I saw was how much safer Japan is compared to America. I see elementary kids walking to school by themselves on the street without any adult!! This would be so dangerous in America.” by Sharon Lim (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
“The first thing I noticed when I got off the plane were the signs. They were colorful with fun, readable fonts that immanently brightened up the airport. I couldn’t read the kanji on them, but many of the directions were in English, so I had no problem finding my way around. . . Other than a few things like language and safety procedures, Japan wasn’t so different. Then we went outside. Still just an airport, but the buses were facing the other way with steering wheels on the right instead of the left. I also noticed how there wasn’t much diversity.” by Kaci Kruglewicz (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
“Once I arrived in 日本 (Japan) ...once I walked off the plane...I realized I knew nothing about 日本. This trip has taught me how similar the Japanese are to America, but also how significantly different they are. On our first day I had my first interaction with Japanese people and the amount of kindness they showed was so present. The next thing I realized was how きれい (clean) and neat the streets and roads were, especially in 東京 (Tokyo). Not once have I seen litter or trash along the sides of the roads or in the middle of the streets. Next, probably the most significant thing I noticed about Japan was their desire to preserve their culture and “the old ways” rather than use new innovations in technology.” by Olivia Smith (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
"I had SO much fun in Japan. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget, it felt so good to finally visit the land I have learned so much about. . . We also toured the Shrine, it was very big and it was very pretty with all the intricate designs that all told a different story of their own. We then went to our home-stays in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, there I went to another shrine that was less crowded, it was very quiet and serene showing me what a shrine really looks like and all it's different parts. In Japan, I got to experience the wonders of Japan myself, not from a textbook." by Logan Hunt (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
“First of all, I saw that America really is an melting pot of different kinds of people! I didn't realize how many different ethnicities and races were in America till I saw that the majority of Japan was filled with Japanese people. . . Another thing I saw was how much safer Japan is compared to America. I see elementary kids walking to school by themselves on the street without any adult!! This would be so dangerous in America.” by Sharon Lim (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
“The first thing I noticed when I got off the plane were the signs. They were colorful with fun, readable fonts that immanently brightened up the airport. I couldn’t read the kanji on them, but many of the directions were in English, so I had no problem finding my way around. . . Other than a few things like language and safety procedures, Japan wasn’t so different. Then we went outside. Still just an airport, but the buses were facing the other way with steering wheels on the right instead of the left. I also noticed how there wasn’t much diversity.” by Kaci Kruglewicz (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
“Once I arrived in 日本 (Japan) ...once I walked off the plane...I realized I knew nothing about 日本. This trip has taught me how similar the Japanese are to America, but also how significantly different they are. On our first day I had my first interaction with Japanese people and the amount of kindness they showed was so present. The next thing I realized was how きれい (clean) and neat the streets and roads were, especially in 東京 (Tokyo). Not once have I seen litter or trash along the sides of the roads or in the middle of the streets. Next, probably the most significant thing I noticed about Japan was their desire to preserve their culture and “the old ways” rather than use new innovations in technology.” by Olivia Smith (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
"I had SO much fun in Japan. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget, it felt so good to finally visit the land I have learned so much about. . . We also toured the Shrine, it was very big and it was very pretty with all the intricate designs that all told a different story of their own. We then went to our home-stays in Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, there I went to another shrine that was less crowded, it was very quiet and serene showing me what a shrine really looks like and all it's different parts. In Japan, I got to experience the wonders of Japan myself, not from a textbook." by Logan Hunt (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"My trip to Japan was the most amazing things that has ever happened to me in my entire life. The way the Japanese citizens interact with each other and visitor is full of kindness and hospitality. The country is beautiful in the way of of shrines and temples, the culture and religion, their radiant and energetic cities and communities, the collaboration with America and other countries, and incredibly delicious food. My experience of Japan has been incredible. I can't wait to share my visit to Japan to many more people other than my peers and family." by Angel Martinez (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"Everywhere we went, people showed great hospitality and treated everyone with respect. . . The whole time I was there, I only heard sirens three times. Every time they turned out to be ambulance sirens rather than police sirens. . . Japan is also a very clean country. Everywhere we went, the streets were always clean and buildings were always clean and I never saw graffiti anywhere. . . Overall, going to Japan was an amazing experience that I will never forget." by Renne Al-Noubani (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"Japan was very different from what I thought it would be, I thought the streets wouldn’t have any English and it would be hard to understand everything but I was actually really surprised when I saw all the English and I was surprised when the people in the city knew English. I think it’s because they’re used to all the foreigners in Tokyo, but when we got into the rural areas there was almost no English. When we were with the host family we were living on a rice field and the on English that I really saw was in the convenience store on the bottle. Also I think the biggest shock when I was there was from the food. I’ve eaten American sushi before but all the other food I hadn't really seen or heard of. . . " by Chloe Gruensfelder (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"While I was in Japan, I saw a lot of things that amazed me, but I also saw things that seemed pretty similar to what I see on a regular basis in America. . . Staying with my host family made me realize that Japanese people are some of the nicest people I have ever met and that despite how far away Japan is from America, families from both countries still act the same towards each other. . . This trip was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I’ve learned so much from it, like how Japanese people are extremely polite and what a day for a person living in japan might be like." by Collin Stice (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"My experience in Japan was one of great importance to me. As my experiences and values enhanced during the Trip had made an impact on how I now view the world, I have realized that there is much more to the culture and lifestyle of Japan than what we see on the surface. A great deal of dedication and worthiness is put into everything that was and is in Japan. Not only that, but the consideration of others throughout the country had been extraordinarily overwhelming, as almost everywhere I went people accommodated to my needs. When living with my host family, I felt as if they understood the position my co-mates and I were in, and much effort was put into making us feel at home. . . In Tokyo, I saw what was to be the most intricate yet effective societal systems I have ever seen." by Justin Williams (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
"Japan was very different from what I thought it would be, I thought the streets wouldn’t have any English and it would be hard to understand everything but I was actually really surprised when I saw all the English and I was surprised when the people in the city knew English. I think it’s because they’re used to all the foreigners in Tokyo, but when we got into the rural areas there was almost no English. When we were with the host family we were living on a rice field and the on English that I really saw was in the convenience store on the bottle. Also I think the biggest shock when I was there was from the food. I’ve eaten American sushi before but all the other food I hadn't really seen or heard of. . . " by Chloe Gruensfelder (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"While I was in Japan, I saw a lot of things that amazed me, but I also saw things that seemed pretty similar to what I see on a regular basis in America. . . Staying with my host family made me realize that Japanese people are some of the nicest people I have ever met and that despite how far away Japan is from America, families from both countries still act the same towards each other. . . This trip was probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I’ve learned so much from it, like how Japanese people are extremely polite and what a day for a person living in japan might be like." by Collin Stice (9th grade, Japanese 2H)
"My experience in Japan was one of great importance to me. As my experiences and values enhanced during the Trip had made an impact on how I now view the world, I have realized that there is much more to the culture and lifestyle of Japan than what we see on the surface. A great deal of dedication and worthiness is put into everything that was and is in Japan. Not only that, but the consideration of others throughout the country had been extraordinarily overwhelming, as almost everywhere I went people accommodated to my needs. When living with my host family, I felt as if they understood the position my co-mates and I were in, and much effort was put into making us feel at home. . . In Tokyo, I saw what was to be the most intricate yet effective societal systems I have ever seen." by Justin Williams (10th grade, Japanese 3H)
"In japan it seems like they have a feeling of trust towards another which is hard to find in the United States with another persons belongings. The best feeling is when I was in Japan I felt very safe the entire trip which is the best feeling to have when traveling. With Japan the biggest impression I had was there wasn’t much to worry about in general. Japan feels like a worry free country by the end of the trip, I was surprised because it is uncertain most of the time when you go to another country about what you have to worry about or be aware of instead of having a good time on a trip. Japan changed my perspective on how other people behave with one another across the world and how they treat other people. It gave me an understanding of respect in another country contrasting it to the United States, I would love to go back there one day and learn even more about japan and the culture that is fascinating." by Carson Link (9th grade, Japanese 2)
Kakehashi Project (The Bridge for Tomorrow)
U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange
Japanese students from Saga Prefecture, Japan visited Riverwood International Charter School on Monday, March 24, 2014. They made four presentations in the auditorium and experienced Art, Culinary, P.E. classes, and lunch. Eight Riverwood students' families hosted some of the Japanese students for several days. Both Japanese and Riverwood students had a wonderful intercultural and international experience through the program.
In the evening, Ridgeview Middle School hosted a welcome dinner for the Japanese students and their host families.
Our Japanese Club students made 100 origami cranes to present to the Japanese students. They also made banners to welcome them.
Related article: http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/KAKEHASHIfarewell2014_E.html
U.S.-Japan Youth Exchange
Japanese students from Saga Prefecture, Japan visited Riverwood International Charter School on Monday, March 24, 2014. They made four presentations in the auditorium and experienced Art, Culinary, P.E. classes, and lunch. Eight Riverwood students' families hosted some of the Japanese students for several days. Both Japanese and Riverwood students had a wonderful intercultural and international experience through the program.
In the evening, Ridgeview Middle School hosted a welcome dinner for the Japanese students and their host families.
Our Japanese Club students made 100 origami cranes to present to the Japanese students. They also made banners to welcome them.
Related article: http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/KAKEHASHIfarewell2014_E.html