California, USA, immersion experience

Adventurous students spent almost two weeks in California, nine nights at Homestays, five days at Hilltop High School, two weekends, including a visit to Disneyland.

It was a wonderful time. Special thanks to all the wonderful students and staff at Hilltop High School, who really made the trip awesome and unforgettable.

July 26-28 arrive in San Diego, California, USA and spend weekend with host families

After crossing the Pacific Ocean, we bought lunch from a supermarket, toured downtown (very sleepily), and finally we welcomed by our homestay families.

Students spent the weekend getting to know their families, learning about American life, and seeing San Diego.

July 29- Aug 2 Hilltop High School

On Monday morning at 7:15, we met again, at Hilltop High School to begin the buddy program. We were welcomed by teachers and taken on a tour of the school. Then students from Yamamura Kokusai High buddied up with Hilltop High students, and broke the ice with games. Then the Principal and Assistant Principals welcomed us officially and presented the students with gifts including fantastic Hilltop High American Football tesm, The Lancers, t-shirts. The school provided lunch too. Then lessons began!

Taco Tuesday

Hillstop High students brought in salads, fish, meat, salsas, bean pastes, and desserts and showed YK students how to make Mexican tacos, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed eating.

Wednesday

Lessons continued to Wednesday. Japanese selective students brought games in to enjoy with Yamamura Kokusai students. After school, some students went home to their hosts, others hung out at school with buddies, friends and other Hilltop students.

Thursday

The second last day at Hilltop, students took a trip to Seaport Village in the afternoon.

Friday

We were welcomed to the school to find all students geared up for the school meet, a celebration of the school and to hope for success. All our students joined in wearing the school t-shirts they had been gifted on Monday. At the gate, there was face-painting in school green. Students had an award ceremony with the fantastic Mr Adachi hosting, and then we got to attend the meet, an experience unlike anything in Japan (or the UK).

That afternoon, the buddies joined us on a trip to the beach and amusements. It was a wonderful, tearful end to the week spent at the school.

Saturday

The final full day in California, students rose early in order to catch the bus to Anaheim. More tearful farewells, this time to the super host families, and then departure. It took a little over two hours by bus. We checked in to the hotel, and walked to Disneyland. Complete with Star Wars land, live performances, short queues and the desert dry heat, it was an amazing experience for the students. Our final meal in a top class restaurant, steak and pork! Everyone was feeling fantastic and the meal was very lively indeed.