Several Red Wing High School students visited the community’s sister city Ikata, Japan, this summer. The Red Wing Sister Cities program, in which the school district plays a key role, then brought Japanese students to our community.
Kris Nepoose, Grayson Gerken, Rowan Vietor, Silas Perau and Ha'ani Whitlock traveled with chaperone Ingrid Hokanson. Here are four of the travelers’ reflections.
By Grayson Gerken
One of my favorite parts of the exchange was the people. Even though we had different lifestyles I was still treated with kindness. When I was with the exchange kids I felt welcome and part of the friend group. I also enjoyed being able to make new memories that make me want to possibly visit Japan again.
Learning about the exchange kids and their culture made me appreciate my own as well. The opportunity to travel and meet people my age impacted me positively and I will keep that with me for the rest of my life.
By Ha'ani Whitlock
My favorite things about the Red Wing/Ikata exchange were:
The immersion in the culture and
Forming lifelong relationships with people who live on the other side of the world.
In Ikata, I loved being able to experience the culture by really living in it. I believe that no trip to Japan as a tourist will ever compare to the immersion in the culture I experienced during the stay with my host families. During my homestay, I enjoyed the meals that my host families made for me — my favorites were shabu-shabu, a light soup with thin slices of fish; somen, cold noodles eaten in a flavorful broth; and mentaiko, spicy fish egg eaten with rice.
I also enjoyed being immersed in the language and having everyday conversations in Japanese. I am glad that I was able to learn a little bit about the history while talking to people. I also had fun wearing a yukata (a casual, lightweight, unlined kimono-style robe), tasting various foods, and watching fireworks at the Kinahaya festival. These things all gave me a sense of daily life and culture in Ikata.
Finally, I loved being able to meet and befriend so many people. Ikata is full of kind, hospitable, amazing people! I made lasting relationships even beyond my host families and those participating in the exchange. I feel like this experience has not only opened my mind to other cultures around the world, but has also made me want to emulate the same sense of hospitality and friendship in my own community here in Red Wing. Because of this program, I have lots of family and friends in Japan whom I hope to visit again soon.
By Silas Perau
My experience with the sister cities exchange was simply amazing. I had an amazing time learning in the tourist cities and seeing the beautiful scenery. Best of all though was Ikata. There was an instant sense of community, and kindness the moment I entered the town. And everyone was so kind to me. I loved experiencing everyday life. Something you can’t experience as a tourist. Things I have gained from this program are passions for traveling, Japanese culture, and lifelong connections and memories.
By Kris Nepoose
This experience has changed my world view and perspective of my life, I'm very grateful for the opportunity and for all of the people who've made it possible. Everything was so new and enjoyable. Although if I had to pick a specific event, it'd have to be the Festival in Ikata. The food, vendors and outdoor entertainment was just amazing. We were gifted yukata , which looked beautiful on everyone. I will definitely cherish it forever.
I will definitely miss all the great friends I've made, my host family especially; they treated me so kindly and were very patient with me when I couldn't understand certain things. Translator apps definitely helped.
Ikata itself is very beautiful, the roads overlooking the ocean and beaches are breathtaking, by far my favorite thing is passing by on the highways, especially the musical roads.
Words just can't describe how life changing this really is, it's not until you're in the moment and you're there in person. Yeah it looks cool in pictures and you can do stuff virtual nowadays but when you're in person and experiencing everything, it just makes it feel enthralling.
I never really had any ambitions to travel, I was even content staying within Minnesota when I'm older, but now, going on this trip I have the motivation and yearning to discover more and see the world. Japan, and Ikata are definitely places I want to visit again.
