2025 EPIC High School Exchange Program Students Visit Hawaii
2025 EPIC students arrive in Honolulu
From September 26-October 1, 2025, ten students from various high schools in Ehime traveled to Hawaii to participate in a cultural exchange hosted by the Ehime Prefectural International Center (EPIC), which promotes cultural understanding and international cooperation through various programs and exchanges. Since 2013, EPIC has organized this exchange program, annually sending students from Ehime to Hawaii.
EPIC students at the Ehime Maru Memorial
Ms. Miki Yamanaka, Executive Director, and Ms. Tamami Moriyama, Overseas Cooperation Promotion Staff, from EPIC, along with Mr. Takuma Fukumoto, English Teacher at Niihama Nishi High School, accompanied the students as they visited various sites on Oahu, including the Ehime Maru Memorial, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and local high schools.
EPIC students’ presentations at Saint Louis School
The Ehime students participated in a two-day homestay program over the weekend with students from Punahou School and Saint Louis School. The day before their school presentations, the group met with the Ehime Kenjinkai to connect with the local Ehime community in Hawaii.
On Monday, September 29, the girls visited Punahou School and the boys visited Saint Louis School to experience school life in Hawaii. During their visits, the students gave engaging presentations about their hometowns, local culture, and school activities. It was interesting to learn how various cities in Ehime are famous for specific things, such as marmalade, baseball, towels, and more. The students also enjoyed interactive discussions with their peers in both English and Japanese, making the week a memorable experience of cultural exchange and international friendship.
