Ryukyu Middle School hosts Culture Exchange Day with Nagamine Junior High School

OKINAWA, Japan – Ryukyu Middle School welcomed students from Nagamine Chuugaku for a lively and engaging Culture Exchange Day Feb. 27, 2026. The event was directed and led by RYMS Japanese and math teacher Ms. Yumi Freeman, who organized a full schedule of cultural activities that encouraged communication, collaboration, and fun.

The day began in the cafeteria, where RYMS students greeted their Japanese guests with a bilingual ice‑breaker game of Find Someone Who in both Japanese and English. After the warm welcome, students broke into small groups for guided tours around the school led by RYMS student ambassadors.

Throughout the morning, groups rotated through a series of hands‑on cultural stations. Students enjoyed activities such as Karuta, ONO99, trivia, and more – creating an enthusiastic, interactive atmosphere where students from both schools could learn from one another and build meaningful connections.

“The card games really got us interacting and having fun together… it had us laughing and practicing languages at the same time,” shared one student participant.

In the afternoon, visiting students joined RYMS students in their classrooms to experience subjects such as culinary arts, physical education, band, social studies, science, and video production. These classroom visits offered a firsthand look at learning at RYMS.

“It was a great opportunity to hang out with Japanese kids… the best part was going to my B4 and playing Minecraft with them,” said one student.

Across campus, students expressed how meaningful the interactions were. Some loved the chance to practice their Japanese:

• “I really liked this exchange program… it made me feel happy that I know that much Japanese already.”
• “I believe this exchange program was a great event to practice our languages! I enjoyed speaking to the Nagamine students.”

Others cherished the personal moments:

“One of my favorite things was how they would call my name when trying to get my attention, and how excited they were when I answered.”

Many students also appreciated the kindness, energy, and respect the Nagamine students brought with them:

“They were super energetic and gentle… I especially loved when we played dodgeball.”
“I liked how the students were so respectful and kind.”

Some even walked away with new friendships:
“There were so many chances to talk, learn, and work together… I made friends with my whole group and even got their accounts.”

Reflecting on the day, Ms. Freeman shared all students truly enjoyed the opportunity to practice their target languages and learn from one another.

“Experiences like this foster friendship, understanding, and compassion among our students, while also affirming the results of their hard work in the classroom,” Ms. Freeman said.

The success of the event was made possible thanks to the support of many staff members. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Costa, MLL teacher; Ms. Petz, Information Specialist; and Ms. Conroy for their help in running activities and supporting students throughout the day. A big thank‑you also goes out to all teachers who opened their classrooms and welcomed visitors with enthusiasm and care.

Most of all, Ms. Freeman deserves warm recognition for thoughtfully planning and executing this wonderful cultural exchange. Her dedication created an unforgettable day of learning, connection, and celebration for both RYMS and Nagamine Middle School students.

One student summed up the experience, stating, “The program was really fun because we all got to interact and make a strong community. We made bonds that will last forever.”