Japanese Junior High Students Visit ZAMHS, Build Friendship

ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

03.05.2019

Video by Daisuke Sato 

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

Japanese Junior High Students Visit ZAMHS, Build Friendship:


Narration:
Laughter echoed through the Zama American Middle High School gymnasium during the inaugural cultural exchange event the school recently hosted with Soubudai Junior High School. Nearly a hundred students from both schools spent the afternoon together, learning how their respective academic experiences are both different and alike.

Interview: Keishi Masui, English Teacher, Soubudai Junior High School
Our principal and English teachers in Soubudai Junior High School have been wanting to establish a relationship with Zama American Middle High School in order for our students to build friendships with American students. We had some exchange events through our softball club activities and a U.S. Army Japan band performance at our school, but no real student-to-student activities. So we asked the principal of Zama American Middle High School to see if we could facilitate an exchange event, and that was the foundation that led to today’s event.

Narration:
After the Japanese students’ arrival, they were split into small groups and linked up with American students who spoke Japanese. Then they toured the school together and got to interact with some of the students during their seminar classes. The Japanese students also experienced American-style physical activities such as aerobics and a relay race using scooter boards.
Interview: Hikaru Eigen, 9th grade, Soubudai Junior High School
I think this is a great opportunity for us because you can’t learn about other cultures if you’ve only ever lived in Japan. There is a saying in Japan that, “One picture is worth a thousand words,” so this was a great opportunity for me to actually come to an American school and interact with American students. It was an amazing experience.

Interview: Michelle Eberhard, 11th grade, Zama American Middle High School

Narration:
The cultural exchange event became a great opportunity for both U.S. and Japanese students to learn about each other’s cultures and make friends. Anaja Williams, a former Zama American Middle High school student, began attending Soubadai Junior High in September 2017 based on her experience as a military brat.

Interview: Anaja Williams, 9th grade, Soubudai Junior High School

Narration:
Wayne Carter, principal of Zama American Middle High School, described how important it is to accumulate experiences as a young person, such as learning about other cultures.
Interview: Wayne Carter, Principal, Zama Middle High School


Reporting for U.S. Army Garrison Japan, this is XXXXXXXX.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2019
• Date Posted: 03.04.2019 21:47
• Category: Package
• Video ID: 663211
• VIRIN: 160315-A-AB123-001
• Filename: DOD_106504474
• Length: 00:03:38
• Location: ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP