It all started when two men with a burning passion for education realized how important friendship was and how exchanging cultures was a part of learning and living.
They stayed in touch using radios, talking for hours, quickly realizing that a friendship had formed despite the vast distance that separated them. Their students then became interested in visiting each other and the cultural exchange program was born.
Each year, a select few of students from both schools volunteer to participate in the one-week program.
The students are given opportunities to bond with their hosts, make new friends, and interact with their new home.
Islanders get to experience the cold slopes of Hokkaido while Japanese students enjoy the beautiful waters and Pacific breeze that Saipan offers.
The program allows students to try new things they could not do at home.
There is a language barrier between the students, but they easily learn that the wall that separates them can be easily demolished — laughter, for example, has no accent.
While the students of Japan and Saipan have fun and enjoy what their new homes have to offer, they also exchange peace and goodwill.
When asked what his motivation is in helping coordinate this program, MHS photography teacher Jojo Alepuyo said: “I didn’t go for the snow or any of that. I’ve experienced that before. I wanted to go and see the faces of the kids experiencing something really new. The energy they put out, the excitement, that’s what keeps me going back every time. I would be very disappointed if this ended, because students benefit from this trip.”
One recent participant of this program, Layo Muna, described the trip as “awesome.”
“My favorite part of the trip was my first encounter with snow. I grabbed a handful, played around with it and threw it at one of my friends — it was hilarious.”
When asked what the worst part of the trip was, Muna said: “Leaving.”
The students really bond on the trip and the hardest part of the trip is not the language barrier or the cultural differences — it is saying goodbye.
But the coordinators and staff always remind the students that there are no “goodbyes.”
Instead, the students are told to say, “See you later,” because the friendship that they have forged are special.
When asked about returning to Japan, Muna replied: “Yes, I do want to go back. Actually, me and some of my ski trip members are fundraising and we hope to go back hopefully this summer to see our adoptive Japanese families.”
