SMPREP Launches Japanese Exchange Program

Saint Monica Preparatory welcomed its first Japanese exchange students from Koyasan High School in Mount Koya, considered one of the most sacred places in Japan as the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism. Four students traveled to California this month with their school's vice principal to attend an immersive three weeks of classes here at SMPREP. A special thank you to our Japanese language class students and their families for hosting and welcoming our student visitors into your homes. 

Later this summer, five SMPREP students will travel with Japanese Teacher Shiho Yoshida to Mount Koya, Japan, for an immersive two-week education where they will stay in student dormitories and attend Koyasan High School classes. Modeled after St. Monica's "All are Welcome" philosophy, the exchange program will immerse our students not just in the language, food and culture of Japan, but also in its second-largest religion (after Shinto), Buddhism. In turn, the Japanese students will join Theology and other classes here to learn more about Catholic education in the U.S.