Hands across the Pacific

Deirdre Newman

The spirit of international goodwill permeated the Corona del Mar

High School campus Thursday as a group of Japanese students and

administrators visited the school.

The visit capped off an annual exchange program that sends four

Corona del Mar students to Okasaki -- one of Newport Beach’s sister

cities -- every summer. In both countries, students stay with host

families.

The goal of the program is for students to experience another

culture firsthand.

“By having our children experience a different culture, especially

American, we want our children to have the experience as a catalyst

to broaden their view toward the world,” said Hiroshi Sawa, a junior

high school principal and Okasaki Sister City representative, through

translator Kumiko Broche. “If you know other cultures, that’s a good

influence to learn more about [your own] culture.”

The exchange program has been trading students across the Pacific

for about 20 years, exemplifying how strong the sister city

relationship is, said Justin Myers, 19, a Corona del Mar graduate who

participated in the program in 1997 and is now on the board of

directors for the Sister Cities Assn.

Every year, four Corona del Mar students who have just finished

eighth grade are selected by application to visit Okasaki in July.

They stay with host families. Their families act as hosts when their

Japanese counterparts visit Newport Beach.

Kelly Archibald, 14, stayed with Ayaka Ina’s family. She said the

most interesting part was just watching the family go through their

normal daily routine, such as going to the supermarket.

The Japanese students arrived early this week for their American

experience.

Kelly has a slew of activities lined up for Ayaka, including going

to Disneyland, horseback riding, shopping -- “so I can get her some

American clothes” -- and visiting her grandparents in Lake Elsinore.

While dining on deli sandwiches and potato salad at Corona del

Mar, Ayaka said one of the major differences between schools in the

two countries is that in Japan the teachers -- rather than the

students -- change classrooms. She said one of her best experiences

so far was meeting a friendly student on campus.

Matt Burgner, 14, said he was most impressed with the attitude of

the Japanese when he visited Okasaki and stayed with Toshikatsu

Sumiya’s family.

“Everyone was so generous,” Matt said. “They really cared about my

well-being.”

Matt also has a plethora of events on the calendar for Toshikatsu

-- a school football game, a Mighty Ducks hockey game and, if they

both luck out, watching the Angels in the playoffs.

Toshikatsu said he was impressed with how lush the landscape is

and how friendly people are in Southern California. And he said his

demeanor back home might even change as a result of his visit.

“I would like to be more open and friendly to other people and try

to be more assertive,” Toshikatsu said through translator Broche.

Even students who were not involved in the exchange program said

they are proud their school participates.

“I think it’s cool because it would help relationships

internationally because it shows we’re willing to accept other people

into our school,” said sophomore Kotrina Jasulaitis, 15.