Harvey School News

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Harvey students who currently study Japanese language traveled to the Keio Academy in Purchase, New York, to participate in our longstanding mutual exchange program with their students from Japan. During the fall the Harvey and Keio students exchanged letters of introduction as they prepared for this visit.

Keio students provided a tour of their school and then the students engaged in a bonding activity learning the art of origami. The Harvey students spent the remainder of the school day shadowing their Japanese host students, attending classes together, and enjoying lunch in their beautiful cafeteria.

Through this experience, Harvey students have the opportunity to meet students from Japan and learn more about Japanese culture. This exchange program, now in its 16th year, has been greatly beneficial for both the Harvey and Keio students.

"This is an example of the international aspect of the Harvey experience as we try to cultivate international-minded students," said Tim Cornell, chair of the language department. "Having this kind of experiential learning with the chance to use the Japanese they've been studying is a great motivator as our students continue on with their Japanese studies," Mr. Cornell said.

The second half of the exchange will take place later in the school year when the Keio students come to Harvey to continue the relationships established this week. The same pairs of students will meet again, deepen their friendships, and allow Keio students to experience a typical school day at Harvey.