This article was originally published in the spring 2013 Harker Quarterly.

Upper school students and faculty alike gave a warm welcome to visiting exchange teacher Michiko Takahashi, who is a music instructor at Tamagawa Gakuen, Harker’s sister school in Tokyo, Japan.

During her Jan. 5-18 visit, Takahashi taught Japanese music and observed classes in the upper school’s performing arts department.

Although Takahashi does not speak English, she was made to feel at home at Harker, thanks to the efforts of several Japanese-speaking faculty members who offered to serve as interpreters, joining her for meals and serving as friendly faces around campus.

And, from the moment Susan Nace, upper school music teacher, picked Takahashi up from the San Francisco airport, it was a whirlwind of activity. After a weekend of sightseeing, Takahashi studied the upper school’s music and acting programs, had lunch with the administration, spent time teaching Japanese classes, visited with the college counseling department, and attended a farewell party with performing arts teachers.