"We were so grateful to welcome back our Japanese exchange students through this incredible program for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mrs. Wendy Urquhart, the French & International Education Consultant for Holy Spirit. "In spite of the fact that it's been five years since we've had a group of this size visit, this is a testament to the common and universal values that we share as educators across the globe."
The students came from CCH's sister school, St. Ursula Eichi High School in Sendai, Japan. For over two decades, the exchange program between these two schools has been going strong and Catholic Central's Principal, Mrs. Joanna Polec, says it is an incredibly special partnership.
"When I was a beginning teacher, I was tapped by the principal at the time to help with the initiation of a sister school relationship with St. Ursula Eichi High School. That was over 20 years ago," said Mrs. Polec. "I have watched the program grow and the relationship between CCH and St. Ursula grow stronger, even over challenging times like the earthquake of 2011 and the devastating Fukushima nuclear accident that followed, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, that fact that the program still exists and will resume for CCH students to return to Sendai in June 2026 is evidence that it his been a partnership that will be long-lasting."
"We've really enjoyed this trip while spending time in Canada," said Momo. "It has been fun to meet my host family and spend time with the staff from Catholic Central High School and Holy Spirit. I was also very happy to visit my past host family from when I first came to Canada as a student taking part in the exchange program. This was a great experience and has helped create an even greater bond."
"We spent two weeks here and everyday was exciting and fun," added Mr. Koseki. "We would spend two days here in Lethbridge and at Catholic Central and then two days visiting somewhere. This program is well organized by teachers at CCH and Mrs. Urquhart and it was fun for us and the students to experience many things that we've never seen."
The farewell dinner, on Monday, March 24, was a chance for the staff at CCH and Holy Spirit, along with the students host families, to say their final goodbyes to these eight outstanding, young individuals. The evening saw all of our exchange students and chaperones read heartfelt farewell letters and perform a song for everyone in attendance.
"Listening to the students perform and then present their goodbyes to the families is a tradition that we've done throughout the program and it was great to see that continue," said Mrs. Urquhart. "It's always an emotional evening for everyone involved and one that we hold very dear to our hearts."
Mrs. Polec, Mrs. Urquhart and the staff at CCH and Holy Spirit look forward to making the trip to Sendai in June of 2026 for their exchange but are already looking forward to the next time they get to host the incredible students and staff from St. Ursula Eichi High School.