As 20 Japanese high school students stood on the gym floor proudly singing their school song, the audience of BHS students and teachers clapped along with enthusiasm.

The March 7 welcome assembly for Takatori Kokusai High School students ran smoothly. Beachwood students, who sat on crowded bleachers while the orchestra played the national anthems of both countries, showed an unusual degree of respect.

BHS leaders addressed the student body about the educational benefits of the visit, and the Japanese teachers showed a video about their school, which is in Nara, Japan. The assembly concluded with an exchange of gifts between Takatori and BHS.

This two-week exchange program between Shaker Heights High School (SHHS), BHS and Takatori Kokusai High School has existed for many years. However, Takatori students haven’t visited since 2010, so this is the first time current students have had the opportunity to participate.

For two weeks, I hosted Chiho Yamahara, a Japanese student from Takatori. She takes English at her international school in Japan, which allowed her to communicate with me and my family. She told us about her life in Japan, and we took her to stores, restaurants and local attractions. The students visited the schools during the day and went on sightseeing trips. The rest of the time students spent with their host families.

I was really nervous at first, since I didn’t have any experience with exchange students. My mother, on the other hand, was excited to do this because when she was younger, her family hosted exchange students, and she found that it was a really valuable experience. She also went to Japan when she was in college, and it’s something I want to try in the future as well.

Too often, all we know about other countries is what we’ve heard as stereotypes or seen in movies. It gives us an incomplete impression of these cultures. But there is something valuable about spending time with Japanese students. It was interesting to see the girls listen to music in English and sing along, and to witness the variety of their clothing styles.

The best way to know those kinds of things is to see them in person… to see how they lit up when trying a new food, and chat with one another when trying to understand something said to them in English. Japanese students are very polite and friendly.

I hesitate to say that what I saw here, only 20 students from a population of 127 million, is fully representative of Japan’s culture. However, it’s refreshing to see how people act in real life instead of  just through media portrayals.

At the welcome assembly, I saw that BHS students were interested in the Japanese students and wanted to spend time with them. Aside from the educational value, these kinds of exchanges just help us to meet new people.

After the assembly, I heard students saying they wished they had known about the opportunity to have kids shadow them or go on field trips together. This option was open to students in an email sign up at the end of February, but I don’t think a lot of kids knew what it was or what it would mean to participate. I think it’s unlikely that most students even knew that we have a sister school in Japan.

I got the opportunity to host Chiho through the “Area Studies: Japan” class at Shaker Heights High School, which meets on Wednesday nights for two and a half hours. I am the only Beachwood student hosting. Raquel Wu, the only other Beachwood student currently in the class, found it while looking through the program of studies late last year. Before she told me about it, I had never heard of it. I talked to my guidance counselor, and the registration process was a little complicated, but the administration worked it out for me.

Students at SHHS are also going to Japan this summer for two weeks. Beachwood students could go if they want to, since BHS and SHHS are both sister schools of Takatori, and the option was even open to Shaker students not in the class. The trip isn’t promoted at Beachwood, I think, and it would be more difficult for students here to communicate with the Shaker teachers. Part of the problem is that kids just don’t know about the opportunities available for them, especially considering that the class takes place at SHHS. For a joint program, there should be more Beachwood students involved.

I encourage other people to take the class. It’s not difficult. Currently, I am learning about Japanese culture, myths and history. The range of topics is great, and the class allows students to do independent study on topics they find to be interesting. It’s not too late to register for next year’s class, which will focus on China.

I know in college there will be many study abroad opportunities, and I want to participate. Learning about other cultures is great for many reasons, including having a better understanding of other people.

Just like visiting would be, hosting is a give and take. You have to be willing to give up your time and do what you can to make sure the student is enjoying their time here. In return, they introduce you to their country, and spark an interest in a whole new world.