Santa Clarita is rolling out the welcome mat for students from across the Pacific. The city, alongside Santa Clarita Sister Cities, College of the Canyons, Academy of the Canyons (AOC), and the William S. Hart Union High School District, is hosting a delegation from Matsudo, Japan, aimed at fostering cultural ties and enriching educational experiences. Last week, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Miranda greeted the young visitors at City Hall, kicking off a week teeming with activities to introduce the Japanese high schoolers to the Americana lifestyle.
The Matsudo delegation's agenda, packed with both scholastic and leisure activities, features class attendances at AOC and a slew of social offerings put together by the local student body. A unique aspect of the exchange, the students are bunking with local families, who’ve lined up visits to iconic spots like Universal Studios and an exhilarating Los Angeles Lakers game. "These students will be spending an enriching week in Santa Clarita, filled with learning and fun activities that will immerse them in American culture," notes Santa Clarita's official announcement.
Not just the youngsters, but representatives from the City of Matsudo are also getting a full Santa Clarita experience. Their schedule includes tours of city facilities, music rehearsals, and a dive into Santa Clarita's art scene, facilitated through an augmented reality app. They're even set for meetings with Santa Clarita staff and local education leaders, all in a spirit of fostering understanding and partnership.
Reflecting on the prior year's visit, which marked the inaugural exchange, participants from both nations espoused the cultural similarities that often go unnoticed, overshadowing their distinct upbringings. "During a wrap-up session from last year, students from both countries shared that the experience opened their eyes and made them realize that they have so many similarities, despite the differences in their culture and upbringing," as reported by the City of Santa Clarita. Echoing this sentiment, the hopes are high for this year’s exchange to further solidify the bond between Santa Clarita and Matsudo.
For anyone looking to snag more info on the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Program or perhaps get involved in future cultural exchanges, the city encourages a visit to their website or to drop an email their way. The initiative represents a part of the global effort to stitch communities closer, one student exchange at a time.
