New Zealand
Four students from the Hawaii Preparatory Academy participated in PAAC’s Spring Study Tour to New Zealand, traveling over two weeks from cozy Waimea all the way to Auckland, Wellington, Rotorua, Taupo, and Waitangi on the North Island of New Zealand.
The study tour introduced students to New Zealand’s current efforts to preserve nature, with visits to places like Tiritiri Matangi Island, a wildlife sanctuary completely free of pests, and meetings with wildlife restoration activists and scientists. Students also increased their understanding of Maori culture and heritage, and its importance to Kiwi society, both past, present, and future. Students were fortunate enough to visit a Marae of a local iwi to learn about the customs and wisdom of Aotearoa’s indigenous community.
Japan
PAAC’s Spring Study Tour to Japan brought eight Hawaii Preparatory Academy students to Japan for a 16-day exploration of Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kobe, Himeji, Kyoto, and Nara. Each day was packed with visits that introduced students to Japanese culture, history, politics, art, and more. Students enjoyed homestays with their peers from Hiroshima Kokutaiji High School, volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless, and visiting the Kobe Earthquake Memorial Museum to gain a more nuanced understanding of issues that are pressing for Japanese society.
See more pictures at www.facebook.com/paachawaii