Japanese Students Visit USN
一期一会 [Ichi-go Ichi-e]
“Only once in a lifetime do we have the opportunity for this kind of meeting with you in this place,” Hayashi said to the assembly of high schoolers last Wednesday.
The senior from Kwansei Gakuin High School represented the twelve Japanese students and their faculty who were spending the week in homes of their USN guests. “We must make the most of this opportunity, cherish the time we have together because we only get one chance to meet you like this.”
The high schoolers sat spellbound as Rebecca Clark greeted our guests in flawless Japanese, snickered when an awkward bow and handshake greeting collided, laughed aloud at Hayashi-kun’s joke as he displayed the jersey alumna Chloe Kibble had sent, and sat mesmerized when Yuya Tsurushita gave a kendo demonstration. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime meeting, that union of two cultures so dissimilar, yet with people who have so much in common.
This visit held special significance as KGHS joined USN in celebrating the Centennial while KGHS celebrates its 125th year anniversary this year. USN was also honored with the presence of Principal Ishimori, who missed the opening ceremony of his school—KGHS opened last Wednesday—in order to pay tribute to USN. (Note: he had asked the chancellor of the university to give his welcoming speech, and she had agreed, re-affirming her support of our exchange program.)
The week began with an informal picnic at the River Campus, where host families greeted their guests around a traditional Labor Day meal of barbeque. Following lunch, the students enjoyed playing assorted games and touring the wetlands as they became acquainted. Although the Japanese guests line-danced at the Wildhorse Saloon, toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, ran up the Parthenon steps, and toured Vanderbilt's campus, their favorite times were those spent with their host brothers and sisters.
USN/KGHS celebrates its 26th year of partnership this year, strengthened by this visit and the USN visit to Japan last summer. In a few weeks, the ninth graders will once again receive letters and gifts from their Japanese pen pals with whom they will exchange correspondence, an experience now in its ninth year. Simply by learning just a little of their culture and their language, we gain a better understanding of others and ourselves.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Spring sports season ends with podium finishes, trophies
The girls lacrosse team ended its season in overtime to become state runner-up. Tennis players Carter Kojetin '29 finished as a state quarterfinalist, Sophie Oliver '26 and Mary Kate Adler '28 finished as state semifinalists, and Veer Kodali '29 and Max Parker '29 finished as state champions. Meanwhile, eight runners competed at the state track and field meet in Knoxville, where Griffin Davidson '27, Caleb Freifeld '28, Drew Zwerner '28, and Jack Fruin '27, sprinted to first in the 4x800m relay and Jack also placed first in the 800m dash.Read More -
USN creates the Juliet Douglas Endowed Fund for Student Success
For the entire USN community: an invitation to give in gratitude, in celebration, and in honor of the woman who has given so much to our school. Make a gift at usn.org/giving to support students with needs beyond tuition and honor Interim Director Juliet Douglas.Read More -
Middle School Quiz Bowl competes at national championship
The Middle School Quiz Bowl finished off another successful season with a trip to the Middle School National Championship Tournament in Chicago. The team fought hard and ended the season as a top-100 program in the country, finishing 75th overall. Congratulations to the team on a great performance and to Lucas Lupu ’31, named an All Star for being the fifth-highest scorer nationwide.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.