La Pietra Launches New Global Exchange Program with Japanese Girls' School
March 8th, 2023
At La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls, we encourage our students to learn beyond borders, whether through textbooks or travel. On this International Women's Day, we are thrilled to announce a new opportunity for students to go out into the world and experience a short-term, immersive stay through an exchange program with Hakuho Girls’ High School in Yokohama, Japan.
“As an inclusive, diverse community that welcomes young women from all over the world, we can’t wait to have Hakuho students join our La Pietra community here in Honolulu – and for our students to experience life at their new sister school in Japan,” said Head of School Josh Watson, Ed.D.
Hakuho Girls’ High School Principal Tadahiko Tamagawa and Chairman Sanenobu Saga made the partnership official during a visit to La Pietra’s Diamond Head campus in November 2022.
“We are excited to visit Hakuho Girls’ High School in Yokohama this June,” said Dean of Academics and Faculty Jen Grems. ”We are even more excited that our students will have the opportunity to participate in this global exchange program beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.”
La Pietra high school juniors and seniors will be encouraged to apply for this opportunity over the summer. Those who participate must meet a minimum GPA requirement, be in good standing, and have some Japanese language proficiency. Additionally, they and their family must be willing to host a Hakuho high school student.
We are eager to give a warm welcome to young women from Hakuho and show them what it's like to live and learn here in Hawaii. If you would like to support La Pietra’s international exchange program, please click here to make a gift.
Meet Some of La Pietra's International Exchange Students
Sophomore Peri B.
Originally from Germany, and born in the city of Frankfurt, Peri just recently joined our La Pietra community as a sophomore this January. She was inspired to participate in the international program because she saw an opportunity to make new experiences, explore new cultures and meet some amazing people.
“There are many beautiful moments I have already experienced. I love the many different possibilities Hawaii has to offer and its nature,” Peri says. “At La Pietra, I really enjoyed making new friends, and I also appreciated a completely different learning and school environment than what I was used to.”
Nana K. (6th grade)
Meet Nana! The sixth grader from Japan decided to join La Pietra's international program because she heard it was a great school with a beautiful campus. This year, she has been thrilled to learn in such a wonderful environment. Not only does she love La Pietra, but she also loves Hawaii because it is never cold!
Junior Kylie K.
Kylie is another student joining us from Germany – more specifically from the north near the Baltic Sea. Kylie is a junior and has always wanted to travel the world and experience as many different places as possible. Her older sisters and their own travels inspired Kylie to join La Pietra’s international program and travel to Hawaii.
“I am very grateful for the time I had here at La Pietra so far, and I love all the activities we get to experience here,” Kylie says. She especially enjoys field trips in her art classes and hearing from guest speakers who visit the school to talk about their passions and other important themes.
Senior Mayara S.
Now a senior at La Pietra, Mayara has been part of our community since her junior year. Mayara was born in Florianopolis, Brazil, but grew up in Geneva, Switzerland. She wanted to join La Pietra because she says it’s the exact opposite of her high school in Geneva and has benefitted from La Pietra’s small class sizes and the individualized attention from teachers.
“I decided to finish high school here because I liked the LP community so much, and this place made me feel at home,” she says. “What I like most about Hawaii are the amazing waves to surf, the beautiful landscapes, and the charming people.”
About La Pietra – Hawai‘i School for Girls: Founded in 1964, La Pietra - Hawaiʻi School for Girls is an independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6-12 with a mission of educating young women to lead a life of purpose. Students benefit from exceptional teaching faculty, small classes and a nurturing environment that encourages self-exploration, creativity and critical thinking. With a low 7:1 student-teacher ratio and class sizes averaging 10-15, students thrive academically and socially in a supportive and welcoming community that offers personalized attention. For more information, visit lapietra.edu.
