It is often said that nothing of great value in life comes easily. So at just 11 years of age, 40 Katoh Elementary School students packed their bags and prepared for an overseas adventure that would test them and provide them with a life-changing experience.
The first half of the two-week trip was spent in Utah, where camp coordinator “Big John” gave the students an unforgettable time at Zion National Park. Days were spent exploring and playing in the magnificent wilderness of Zion, and nights were spent under the stars in sleeping bags and tents.
The final week provided students with unparalleled challenges and rewards as they assumed the life of a typical American student in Portland, Oregon. Host families and schools opened their doors to the students with the expectation that they would lose their shyness and hesitation to speak English. It was with enormous effort that the students transformed themselves, and in doing so they made lifelong friends and learned the true value of being bilingual.
For more information about Katoh and its English immersion program, please see http://www.bi-lingual.com. — CAMERON BARNARD
