August 18 (Tuesday) and August 19 (Wednesday)

On August 18 (Tuesday), students gathered at Utah Tech University at 5 a.m. in the early morning and bid farewell to their host families, who had taken care of them over the two-week period.

While the students had appeared nervous when they first met their host families, over the course of two weeks together, they gradually built a relationship that made them feel like family members. On the morning of departure, the students were filled with memories and gratitude, and many shed tears as they parted ways. The connections built across language and cultural differences became something irreplaceable for the students.

Seeing off by their host families, the group reluctantly departed Utah and headed for Las Vegas. Afterward, they traveled to Los Angeles on a domestic flight and visited Disneyland California, the final program of this training experience.

The students’ eyes sparkled at the park and attractions with a scale different from Japan, and they enjoyed themselves to the fullest until just before closing time. Additionally, students from Hakuho and Etoile Girls were seen exploring the park together, and this time deepened the new friendships born through the two weeks of training.

During the training, each student accumulated many experiences through homestays, classes, and various activities. This final time spent smiling with their peers became a precious moment to cap off their memories of America.

The following day, August 19 (Wednesday), the group departed from Los Angeles International Airport for Haneda Airport, and after a long flight, all participants safely returned to Japan.

Over the two-week Utah Short Homestay program, the students experienced not only enjoyable memories and new encounters, but also days that were not always easy. Living in an unfamiliar environment, language barriers, and differences in culture and customs—each student likely faced various challenges.

However, despite these difficulties, the students thought things through in their own ways and, supported by those around them, faced each challenge one by one. Students who were initially nervous about speaking English gradually became more proactive in initiating conversations and attempting to express their feelings in English as the training progressed.

The approximately two-week stay in America was both a major challenge and an invaluable experience for the students. The time spent with the people they met locally and their peers will surely remain in their hearts as special memories that they will not forget even as they grow into adults.

This training experience was made possible through the support of the host families, many related parties, and the parents who warmly sent their children off. We sincerely thank all those who cooperated and provided support. Thank you very much.