On March 11, a group of 28 Japanese exchange students visited Paint Branch for the day. The group shadowed their designated Panthers, following them around on their way to class and experiencing the unique culture of our school. One Japanese visitor, Hinano, noted that Paint Branch “is much larger than [her] school.”

For these students, Paint Branch offered a vast difference in diversity and size. “There are about 600 students at my school,” commented Hinano, who was able to learn the basics of ceramics during her class period with Ms. Norris where she watched a student throw on the wheel and produce a simple bowl.

Several groups of Japanese visitors toured the school, posing enthusiastically for photos along the way. “The school is beautiful,” Hinano gushed.

Japanese teacher and organizer of the visit, Ms. Zoll, felt that the visit benefited PB students as much as it benefited the students from Japan.  “They can learn to open their eyes to how other people in other cultures respond and behave,” she said.