By Brian Shin, Chaparral High School, Grade 12
January 10, 2011___Students from Miyazaki, Japan were able to have a taste of something strikingly different from what they’re used too: American schooling. As a part of their visit to America in a foreign exchange program, the students of Miyazaki Minami High School visited Temecula, California – and during their stay, they visited Chaparral High School for two days.
Keita Hikigi, a Japanese student, describes his first impression of the States. “Everything is very big here! Everything! Cars, hamburgers from McDonald’s, mayonnaise jars, houses, and streets.” Even Chaparral High School was considered massive with a population of 2,800 students. “I like it very much though. There are people everywhere!” he said.
Chieri Kai, when asked about her first impression of an American school described the appearance of the students. “Americans seem to look older and more mature.”
Yuki Kamikawaji, a male student, says he was impressed by the other male students. “American boys are more gentlemen-like, which is harder to see in Japan.”
Nana Kawagoe, a female student said, “The girls here are very pretty and the people here are very friendly.
Yoshiro Tsuji agreed. “I like American girls. They are beautiful!”
Several of the visiting students noted that many of the female American students wear make-up to school. Make-up is not allowed in Japanese schools.
Also kissing, hugging and other public displays of affection are freely practiced on the grounds of an American public high school.
“Only boyfriends and girlfriends hug each other, but here, anyone can,” Kasumi Nagatomo, a female student said. She said she was surprised when an American male student hugged her goodbye.
There were other interesting differences the Japanese students noticed. American students go to school wearing different styles of clothing instead of wearing uniforms. Students move from class to class, as opposed to staying in one classroom while teachers do the rotating in Japan. American students typically have lunch breaks outside of the classroom and some may even have the privilege of eating off campus. Most students leave campus after classes are over as the janitors clean up for the students. In Japan, however, it is the job of the students to pick up trash and sweep the floors.
But the essential difference that the Japanese students noticed between their schools and American schools is the degree of freedom.
Yuki Kamikawaji believes that the same degree of freedom given to the students in America should be given to Japanese students. “I think that it is better to have more choices to do what we want.”
