LANSCA Alumni Reunion Celebrates 60+ Years of cross-Cultural Exchange
LOS ANGELES — February 22,2025 — The annual LANSCA Student exchange Alumni Reunion brought together former students,parents,and city representatives from Los Angeles and Nagoya via Zoom. The virtual event celebrated the program’s enduring impact, featuring reflections from students and a nostalgic journey through program history, emphasizing cultural exchange.
LANSCA Alumni Reunion celebrates 60+ Years of Cross-Cultural Exchange
Former students and leaders from Los angeles and Nagoya gathered virtually to reminisce and inspire future involvement in the Sister City Affiliation.
A Virtual Homecoming
The 2025 Los Angeles and Nagoya Sister City Affiliation (LANSCA) Student Exchange Alumni Reunion convened via Zoom on feb. 22, bringing together past participants from both Nagoya and Los Angeles. The virtual event was filled with much anticipation and excitement.
Erika Lopez, chair of the LANSCA Student Exchange Program, extended a warm welcome to former students, parents, and representatives from the mayoral offices of both cities.
Voices of Support and Enthusiasm
The reunion commenced with opening remarks from several distinguished figures:
- Ichiro Hirosawa, mayor of Nagoya
- Wajenda Chambeshi, director of international relations for the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
- Kenko Sone, consul general of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
- Teruko Weinberg, chair of LANSCA
Each speaker conveyed their enthusiasm for the event and the enduring importance of the LANSCA program.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Participants embarked on a nostalgic journey,viewing a slideshow featuring memorable photos from past Student Exchange Program activities. The images captured los Angeles and Nagoya high school students sharing laughter and experiences in both cities.
Student Reflections: Lasting Impacts
The most impactful part of the reunion was the heartfelt reflections shared by the students themselves.
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One student cherished
bonding with her host family,
recalling moments of cooking Japanese hamburg steak and folding origami stars with her host mother. -
Another student emphasized the program’s impact on creating new experiences, including
building friendships with others who shared similar interests.
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One student highlighted the opportunity to
explore new cultures, especially given the diverse subcultures in Los Angeles.
Academic and Personal Growth
Several students noted the academic advantages gained through the program.
The program sparked a deeper motivation to learn English, ultimately helping him win the No. 1 spot in a Japanese national speech contest, which played a key role in his acceptance into a prestigious university.
The Host Family Experience
Parents also shared their experiences hosting exchange students, noting the mutual benefits of the program.
Hosting a student was equally fulfilling, especially seeing the student’s excitement “in their young eyes” as they discovered new things.
Another student echoed this sentiment, explaining that hosting allowed him to explore different parts of Los Angeles with the student from Nagoya.
It is these small moments — like driving around town,looking at the Hollywood sign at night,watching movies together,and sharing those experiences with the exchange student — that became the most memorable.
Building Confidence and Leadership
Ms. Lopez shared her reflections on the program’s broader impact.
She noted how the program helps build confidence in students,enabling them to gain self-assurance as they navigate new environments and interact with city officials. She also highlighted the development of valuable knowledge and essential leadership skills.
A Call to Action
Teruko weinberg inspired students to embrace leadership roles and become the next generation of LANSCA ambassadors.By emphasizing their involvement, she encouraged students to carry forward the organization’s values and contribute to its mission.
Energized by this call to action, the students responded with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, eager to play an active role in LANSCA.
A Legacy of Cultural Exchange
For over 60 years, the LANSCA Student exchange Program has provided high school students from Nagoya and Los angeles with the opportunity to immerse themselves in each other’s cultures [[1]].
Former students interested in becoming ambassadors can contact Erika Lopez at 31erikalopez@gmail.com.
those interested in applying for the program can visit www.lanscastudentexchange.org.
A recording of the Student Reunion will be available on LANSCA’s YouTube channel.
FAQ
- What is LANSCA? Los Angeles and Nagoya Sister City Affiliation,fostering understanding between the two cities [[3]].
- When was LANSCA founded? 1959.
- How can I apply for the exchange program? Visit www.lanscastudentexchange.org.
- How can alumni get involved? Contact Erika Lopez at 31erikalopez@gmail.com.
