G-C students learn about Japanese culture by making new friendships

Sara Houston practically buzzed from table to table, eyes beaming as Greenfield third graders shared Twinkies and BBQ potato chips with new friends from Japan.

Sister Cities of Greenfield welcomed seven teens and two chaperones from Kakuda, Japan this week, and Greenfield-Central schools spent two days showering their guests with American experiences and smiles. 

For several Greenfield-Central teachers, the experience was more than just about being hospitable. It was about opening the eyes of their students to new connections and international bonds that they value themselves.

Houston, for example, has been to Kakuda, Japan twice and treasures her experiences. Tuesday, she wore a yukata–  a casual summertime kimono– that her friends from Japan had given her as a gift. As Houston gave a tour of Harris Elementary School and offered bites of U.S. treats, she encouraged the local students to ask questions of their guests from Japan.

“They get to share something that’s common to them, and they can see, ‘Oh, I have a connection with you,’” Houston said. “And I like how they’re not afraid to ask questions. This is an important life lesson – to make that human connection with others, whether it’s a friend in class who looks a little different than you, or if it’s somebody across the world.”

Sister Cities of Greenfield is a program in which residents of Greenfield and Kakuda, Japan travel to learn about the cultures of their communities by living in homes and exploring neighborhoods, schools and businesses. Greenfield-Central has been involved with the program for more than three decades.

This week, the group from Japan spent about two hours visiting each G-C school, exploring art, music or gym classes; playing at recess; creating stop-motion videos together; and even being interviewed for the high school’s television program. Teachers and staff warmly welcomed the group, and children quickly warmed up to the teens.

At Harris, the teens answered questions about the types of sports and holidays they enjoy back home. Through an interpreter they even answered questions about their nation’s president, and compared election news with the third graders. 

The Japanese students were impressed with the children they met.

“They’re very outgoing and eager to do things,” Ryusei Sato said through an interpreter. 

He was also excited that several of the American students he met were interested in Japanese culture and knew facts about his country.

Nanami Watanabe  said she enjoys how Greenfield schools are so colorful, bright and vibrant. So are the students.

“People are a lot more expressive of their individuality,” she said through an interpreter.

At J.B. Stephens Elementary School, students took part in International Dot Day by creating large, collaborative banners with circles and dots in paint, markers, stickers and more. Art teacher Emma Jones said art transcends all language barriers, and she was glad her students were able to greet the teens and interact with them.

In gym class, third graders played a game of parachute with the students from Japan – giggles and glee the same no matter the age or background. 

J.B. Principal Amy Sutton is part of the Sister Cities board, and it was important for her to get involved because she had traveled to China years ago. Sutton hopes both students from Greenfield as well as those visiting from Japan take away an acceptance of others.

“I hope they see similarities in our schools, as well as differences from their school in Kakuda,” she said. “Anytime we can expose our students to cultures other than our own, my hope is our students will be able to develop a curiosity of our world and acceptance of others who are not exactly like us.”

Japanese students visited individual classrooms at Weston Elementary, teaching children how to write names in Japanese characters, or how to say the alphabet. Students from Japan were fascinated with differences big and small – they are used to eating lunch in their classrooms, for example, rather than going to a cafeteria. A vending machine that disperses pencils brought a huge smile.

At the intermediate, junior high and high school levels, students worked together on math games, animation and more. They even created towers of cards, inspired by the Tokyo Tower. When some of the same junior high students from stop motion animation showed up in their gym class, the teens from Japan were excited to see their new friends again.

“You would think they’d known each other forever,” said Susan Geesa, who traveled to all of the schools with the students.

Geesa is a retired teacher and now serves on the Sister Cities board. She said even though school children may notice many differences in the cultures, sometimes the most interesting are the things that are the same. 

“They all like to play – their favorite activity was (pool) noodle tag; they all like to compete,” Geesa said. “They share smiles; they all like making new friends; they all like trying new things.”

The relationship between Greenfield and Kakuda, Japan began in 1988 when automobile-allied enterprises from Kakuda established business in Greenfield. A formal agreement was signed in 1990, and delegations from Greenfield and Kakuda have been traveling back and forth ever since. 

This year, however, marks a year of rebuilding for the program: this is the first time in five years that students from Kakuda have visited Greenfield due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Greenfield residents visited Kakuda in 2023, and will visit there once again in 2025. Those who want to apply for the 2025 trip should visit sistercitiesofgreenfield.org for an application, due by Dec. 31. Teens in eighth through 11th grade are eligible for the trip to live with a host family in Kakuda and learn about Japanese family life and culture. Eligibility for adults include employees of the city of Greenfield, Greenfield-Central schools or Hitachi Astemo; as well as members of  the Sister Cities board or host family members. 

G-C Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin said visitors from Kakuda visited Greenfield schools throughout the more than 30 years the program has been thriving. Educators have served on the Sister Cities board, and many school employees have hosted students and chaperones.

“Our community has truly benefited from this cultural exchange,” Olin said. “I have visited our friends on Kakuda on three separate occasions, and we have hosted two students. Many of us have made friendships that will last a lifetime.”

By Maribeth Vaughn

Those who want to apply for the 2025 trip should visit sistercitiesofgreenfield.org for an application, due by Dec. 31. (photo in front of Kakuda mural painted in 2007 at GIS)