District 25 says 'Sayonara' to Japanese exchange students

After five days of cultural exchanges, Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 students said goodbye to new friends they made during a student exchange program with students from Shitara, Japan.

Thirty-nine Japanese middle school students arrived in Arlington Heights on Thursday and spent their visit with District 25 families doing all kinds of things, including going to the grocery store, exploring Chicago and attending classes with students.

"Although we were only with our exchange students for a few days, we learned so many things," said South Middle School seventh-grader August Graham. "We were able to form friendships and share culture."

During a "sayonara" party on Monday before the Japanese students headed home, both groups performed songs and dances from their cultures, presented gifts and thanked their new friends.

"I'm so glad our students could come here," said Naoya Sasaki, principal of Shitara Junior High in Japan. "We are forever friends."

The exchange program in District 25 has been going on for seven years as a way of introducing students to new cultures.