Meikei Gakuen is a coeducational junior high and high school, located in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. The curriculum is taught in Japanese but the school has a very international outlook, and applications from students with overseas experience are encouraged.
One example of this international outlook is the Kizuna program offering students from overseas and Japan, who are living in prefectures affected by 3/11, a unique chance to come together.
It started when Meikei collected money for instruments for Sumiyoshi Junior High School in Ishinomaki. Around 40 Meikei students visited Ishinomaki to present them, and also to learn more about the disaster from the Sumiyoshi students.
In August, Meikei then welcomed 23 students from Thomas Jefferson High School, Washington, and students gave presentations about the situation in Ishinomaki. As both schools are designated “Super Science Schools,” the day finished with a team challenge to build the highest tower with wooden blocks. A fun end to a very meaningful day!
Meikei will visit Ishinomaki again this month, before sending 23 high school students to America next March in an effort to help ensure that the people of Tohoku are not forgotten.
Anybody interested in learning more about Meikei Gakuen is invited to visit the homepage at http://www.meikei.ac.jp. — STEPHEN BIRD
