SJA Kaijo Gakuen Program

Click here for the Family Confirmation Form (2013).

A group of thirty competitively selected students from the Kaijo Gakuen school in Tokyo, Japan have been visiting St. Johnsbury Academy annually since 1989.  The approximately 10 day trip to New England takes place in late March just prior to the beginning of the boys' 10th grade year and first year of high school in Japan.

This exciting exchange has been successful thanks to the generous hospitality of area families who have a son or daughter currently enrolled at the Academy.  One host mother exclaimed, "I love every minute of it.  It is a great experience. "  The Kaijo students are quickly adopted into the host family households, but form strong bonds with their American hosts and often remain in contact for many years beyond the visit.  

The Kaijo students are treated to a wide variety of activities with their respective host families, spend several days at the Academy attending classes as well as after school activities, and also visit local and regional tourist attractions during their stay.

This unique immersion in everyday American life is a real highlight for these boys and they show their appreciation with an entertaining performance at the annual Farewell Banquet.  After receiving their certificates of participation in the program from the Academy Headmaster, the group heads back to Japan to prepare for their new school year which begins in early April and a visit from the St. Johnsbury Academy's Japan trip group.  That group has visited Kaijo Gakuen for 14 consecutive years and is a much anticipated stop on our tour of Japan.  We value the opportunities this exchange provides for all involved and hope to strengthen our institutional and individual bonds.

Kaijo Itinerary 2013 [click here to print the itinerary]