Overview:
A two-day homestay in Palau has left a lasting impact on visiting Japanese youth ambassadors and their host families, blending cultural discovery, shared meals and emotional reflections on history. Can short exchanges create lifelong connections?
Peleliu visit and host family stays highlight impact of short-term immersion program
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (April 2, 2026) — Laughter, shared meals and cultural exchange defined a brief but meaningful visit by eight young participants in the 2026 Junior Ambassador Friendship Mission to Palau, who spent two days living with local host families.
Arriving March 30, the group—ranging in age from 10 to 19 and led by group leader Ms. Ohno Yuriko—was divided among families from Maris Stella School and SDA School. Though their stay lasted only two nights, both hosts and students described the experience as deeply rewarding and emotionally memorable.
For Allyne, a parent from Maris Stella School, hosting one of the visiting students brought a new dynamic into her home. The student, she said, was the same age as her son.
“My son is an only child, and it was wonderful to have a friend his age,” Allyne said. “It was a very short stay, and we wished it were longer.”
Determined to make the most of their time together, Allyne’s family introduced their guest to a variety of Palauan foods. The student quickly developed a taste for fish—something Allyne said surprised them.
“At home, they don’t eat much fish, but he loved it here,” she said. “We hope this short stay creates a connection that lasts, and we hope to welcome him back someday.”
The visiting students echoed that sense of connection, reflecting on both cultural immersion and personal discovery during their stay.
Konoka Yamazaki, one of the youth ambassadors, said her time in Palau left a lasting impression, particularly her visit to Peleliu.
“I loved swimming, and I saw a lot of fish,” she said. “But going to Peleliu was my best experience.”
Konoka said she had previously watched a Japanese film based on a manga depicting a Japanese in Peleliu during WWII. Seeing the island in person, she said, was emotional.
“I saw the old things from the war, and I was very moved,” she said. “It was one of the best experiences for me.”
The cultural exchange extended beyond daily life into a shared farewell celebration on April 1 at Side Street, where students and host families gathered to mark the end of the visit.
During the event, one of the visiting students, Tomoki, performed a 600-year-old traditional Japanese song, offering a glimpse into his heritage. The group also delivered a musical tribute to their host families, with the youngest member conducting the performance—an act that drew warm responses from the audience.
By the end of the program, Japanese students, Palauan students and host families all expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect. Many described the experience as the beginning of friendships they hope will continue beyond the short visit.
Despite the brief stay, the mission reflected the enduring value of cultural exchange—where even a few days can leave lasting impressions across borders.