October 12, 2026

Seventeen students from Kyoto University of Advanced Science High School in Japan wrapped up their annual visit at Hughson High School this weekend with an assembly, cultural exchange, and performances, and a full weekend getting “the American Experience,” Kourtney Christianson, Hughson High School Director of Activities, said.

Students arrived at Hughson on Oct. 7 in the evening and met the eight host families from Hughson they would be staying with. The next day, they took a tour around Stanislaus County, visiting places like Modesto Junior College, Diamond Bar Arena, Stewart and Jasper Almonds, BIRBO Frozen Foods, California State University Stanislaus, and an evening spent with host families. On Oct. 9, they attended classes at Hughson High School with the host students and the assembly at 10:30 a.m. During the assembly, the Kyoto students performed a dance, representatives from the schools exchanged plaques, Hughson High Cheerleaders and Jazz Band performed, and junior Stella Brown performed “About a Girl” by Nirvana.

Hughson High School has participated in the KUAS foreign exchange program for 25 years. “We love hosting the Kyoto students. We learn so much from them about their culture, and they add a lot of value to our campus when they visit. I have hosted students several times and had a great experience every time!” Principal Loren Lighthall said.

This year, Kyoto University of Advanced Science High School/Junior High School is over 100 years old. The school enrolls 3600 students, with over 300 international students from more than 40 different countries.

By connecting these students with local families and experiencing a day on an American high school campus, students from Kyoto walked away with a clearer cultural snapshot of American life than can be had at a distance. Many attended Hughson sporting events like volleyball, soccer, and their favorite, American football,” Christianson said. “Experiencing an American student section was a cool experience, as in Japan the student sections are overall silent.”

Students also ate fast food and other American classics like BBQ. Students were taken hiking to Yosemite, bowling, shopping in the biggest stores they have ever seen, and many other once-in-a- lifetime experiences.