By Ikuko Karacsony | Program Officer
“Wow the box has Japanese writing on it!” exclaimed a student as the teacher brought in the package that had arrived from all the way across the Pacific Ocean. The classroom was filled with cheers and laughter as the students opened their package. From seeing the way the package looked and addressed, to the actual content of the omiyage gifts inside, everything was new and exciting for the students.
Students participating in Global Classmates have been enjoying interacting with their partner classmates, discussing different topics such as favorite music and food, different school events they’ve had this fall, and what’s trending in their country. As the students begin to get to know each other, we have them participate in a special gift exchange project called Omiyage Exchange. In this project, the students collect or make small gifts that represent them, their culture, and their community, and mail them to their partner classmates. Once the gifts arrive, the teachers videotape their students opening them to share their candid reactions.
The Omiyage project is the highlight of the Global Classmates program for many of the students each year, and this year was no different. Prior to the sending the omiyage, students carefully read their partner classmates’ comments to figure out what they may like and picked out items to send them, along with handwritten letters and cards. Some students decided to buy souvenirs from their school field trips and others went to their local shops and supermarkets to buy snacks and stationery unique to their country. There was even a student who sewed a stuffed animal! The students truly let their personality and creativity shine through and they not only enjoyed receiving the gifts but also loved seeing their partner classmates’ reactions to the gifts they carefully selected.
We want to thank all of the teachers who have made this project possible by coordinating with their partner teachers and guiding their students. While it was a lot of work for them to put together so many gifts, many have expressed that seeing their students’ sheer delight and excitement has made it all worth it. Weeks later, students are still talking about their gifts and it is safe to say that the Omiyage Exchange project has helped foster a deeper connection among students.
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