The Brief
- Nine Pasco High School students will travel to Okinawa, Japan, in February as part of the Kakehashi Project, a cultural exchange program sponsored by the Japanese government.
- Pasco High School was one of the select few high schools in the U.S. chosen for this program, which promotes genuine friendships and cultural understanding between American and Japanese youth.
- In March, Japanese students and staff will reciprocate by visiting Pasco, including homestays and school visits.
PASCO, Wash. — In Asaka Erdmann’s Japanese classroom at Pasco High School, students actively engage with Japanese culture through singing, cooking, and crafting. Soon, nine of these students will experience Japan directly. Selected for the prestigious Kakehashi Project, the students will travel from February 8 to February 15 to Okinawa as cultural ambassadors.
Erdmann expressed disbelief and excitement upon learning about the selection. The Kakehashi Project serves as a “bridge,” highlighting not just academic growth but also cultural immersion. With her experience of growing up in Japan, Erdmann emphasizes the importance of real-world learning beyond textbooks.
The students will engage in homestays, attend Yokatsu High School, and tour museums, broadening their understanding of a culture vastly different from their own. Principal Veronica Machado highlighted the transformative nature of this experience, noting that many students haven’t traveled beyond the Tri-Cities area.
The selection focused on students who have demonstrated leadership, taken Japanese courses, and shown openness to learning outside their comfort zones. Erdmann is enriching their language skills and cultural understanding in preparation.
The project will cover most costs, but Pasco High School seeks community contributions to alleviate travel expenses. Despite financial hurdles, Machado stresses the unique value of this experience over academic instruction.
Erdmann’s commitment to cultural education recently earned her recognition as a Washington State Hero Award recipient. The exchange will continue in March when Japanese students and staff visit Pasco, with plans for shared cultural events like assemblies.
Ultimately, Erdmann hopes her students return with stories and authentic friendships, fostering connections that last beyond the classroom. The Kakehashi Project provides these students an invaluable opportunity to build cross-cultural bridges.
