Event Report: Hachioji Higashi High School Mentorship Workshop
On March 17th, 2025, the Centre for the Study of Global Japan (CSGJ) and University of Toronto Schools (UTS) jointly hosted visiting students from Hachioji Higashi High School in Tokyo, Japan for their annual exchange and mentorship workshop. A team of volunteer CSGJ Student Affiliates participated as mentors to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and engage with the students. The workshop was held at University Toronto Schools (UTS).
The day’s activities began with a guided tour around the University of Toronto St. George campus, visiting key buildings such as the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University College, and Robarts Library. The visiting students enjoyed taking photos and learning about the university’s rich history while exploring the vibrant campus. Following the tour, Hachioji Higashi students, UTS student volunteers, and CSGJ Student Affiliates gathered at the UTS campus for the workshop. Attendees were welcomed with refreshments and a thoughtfully prepared charcuterie board as they spent time getting to know one another. The event officially began with opening remarks by UTS and Hachioji Higashi representatives. This was followed by a lively and engaging presentation by a group of Hachioji Higashi students, who shared insight into their school life in Japan including their school’s history, extracurricular activities, and daily routines.
After the presentation, students broke into small table groups for more personal conversations. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including cultural differences between Canada and Japan, high school lifestyles, and shared hobbies and interests. The Hachioji Higashi students also shared a series of research questions they had prepared for their cultural exchange research projects, touching on subjects such as architecture, climate, and sports. These discussions fostered meaningful connections and mutual learning opportunities among all the participating students.
To conclude the workshop, UTS volunteers took CSGJ mentors and Hachioji Higashi students on a guided tour around their school facilities, including the auditorium, library, gymnasium and robotics room. Students then gathered for a final time to exchange contact information, take group photos, and share parting gifts. Students from UTS and CSGJ presented Hachioji Higashi students with small souvenirs to commemorate their experience in Toronto, while Hachioji Higashi students gifted the volunteers’ various Japanese snacks and a self-published English newspaper that they had written about Japanese culture.
The exchange and mentorship workshop was a meaningful cross-cultural experience that offered a unique opportunity for students to build new connections and broaden their global cultural perspectives. We would like to extend our gratitude to Hachioji Higashi High School for their engaged participation, University of Toronto Schools for hosting the event, and our volunteer CSGJ Student Affiliates for their support in making the event a success yet again!
