Japanese Exchange Program

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• History

  It began in 1999 when former administrator Scott Espinosa-Brown, inspired by a desire to foster global connections, helped launch the program with Walnut Creek resident Mihoko Malian. That year, six students from Seven Hills traveled to Japan, marking the beginning of an annual tradition of cultural exchange.
  
  Now, each November, around 40 middle school students from Tokyo arrive in Walnut Creek, staying with Seven Hills 8th graders and their families. Accompanied by Japanese educators, Board of Education administrators, and translators, they explore local Bay Area landmarks and spend time in Seven Hills ECE-8th grade classrooms, sharing their culture and learning from ours.
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  Seven Hills 8th graders travel to Japan in February, reuniting with their exchange partners and staying in their homes. They visit schools in northern Tokyo, tour Kyoto’s cultural gems, and explore the historic city of Hiroshima, deepening their understanding of history, literature, language, and art. This exchange is a culminating highlight of their final year, a capstone trip that strengthens the bonds of friendship and cultural exchange before graduation.
  
  In 2017, Walnut Creek and Kita Ward formalized their partnership with a City Agreement, reinforcing the program’s relationships and impact. Additional collaborations have further connected our communities, including a partnership with Las Lomas High School’s Japanese Honors class, where students tutor Seven Hills 8th graders in Japanese conversation and etiquette. In 2024, Seven Hills introduced Japanese as a Middle School language option, deepening our commitment to this special relationship.
  
  

  Over the decades, this program has given hundreds of students and families the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, immerse themselves in another culture, and expand their empathy and global worldview. Many families stay in touch with their Japanese hosts and guests, visiting each other for years to come. The friendships forged through this exchange are a treasured part of the Seven Hills community and a testament to the power of international understanding and friendship.