Written by Quisha Antoine Magpatoc, Jarizeth Somodio and Joy Roque
On February 28, 2025, the University of Baguio High School (UBHS)warmly welcomed 13 students from Saint Paul’s Rikkyo University in Tokyo, Japan through an arrangement by TAHANAN-SUMIKA. The primary objective of their visit was to observe classes at UBHS and gain insights into the academic environment in the University.
Before coming to UBHS, the Japanese students visited the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) for an interactive classroom observation, where they engaged with students and faculty to better understand the Philippine education system.
To further enrich their experience, the Japanese students came afterwards to the University of Baguio High School and some UBHS senior high school students accompanied them on an interactive tour of the Legacy Building, providing detailed explanations of the facilities and the overall academic atmosphere.
This exchange fostered meaningful cross-cultural discussions on various topics, such as academic aspirations, differences, and thought processes in terms of the students’ college preparation. This fostered the importance of intercultural experiences and engagement with their Filipino counterparts.
Throughout the tour, the Japanese students explored UBHS’ educational environment, the different laboratories in the building, and had a quick chat in the UBHS CCSD Office. Moreover, they saw the University’s canteen and what it offers. They also came across the student’s preparations for the upcoming Intramurals and witnessed their competitiveness in their cheering practices.
Along with that, they got to see different sports activities being performed along the tour. “How many clubs do you have?” one of the students asked as they piqued their curiosity on the amount of preparation they witnessed that are non-academic. They were amazed on the number of organizations/clubs that were mentioned. They learned more about not only the education system but also the different initiatives and programs in the University and how it values not only the students’ academics but also their talents and other interests. The UB students also took them on a quick stroll to the founders’ garden, where they learned a bit of the University’s history.
The visit concluded on a high note as the students attended The Beatles Plus Musical Recital at Centennial Hall from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Further immersed themselves in local artistic and cultural expressions. Following their visit to UBHS, the Japanese students traveled to Sagada for a two-week home-stay experience, where they will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, traditions, and more of the Igorots’ way of life
This initiative underscores UBHS’s commitment to fostering global cultural exposure and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. By welcoming international students, UBHS continues to build bridges of understanding and collaboration that transcend borders, reinforcing the value of global education and cultural exchange.
