From October 27-November 4th, Concord Carlisle High School had the privilege of celebrating the 28th year of hosting exchange students from CCHS’ sister school in Nanae, Japan. This initiative, facilitated through the Concord Nanae Network (CNN), has a history rooted in a long-standing relationship between the state of Massachusetts and Hokkaido, where Nanae is located.
CCHS-CNN Liaison Chat around Coordinating
Madame Pinto, a French CCHS teacher and the CCHS-CCN liaison for this exchange program, shared that her direct involvement with the program deepened in October 2023, when she herself served as a host. This experience led to her appointment as a liaison in January 2024 to better coordinate schedules and communication among the schools. She acknowledges the demands of the role, but finds fulfillment in the student interactions. “Yet, the challenges fade when I see the excitement and happy faces as people from two different cultures open their homes and hearts to learn from one another,” she said.
Madame Pinto also represented CCHS in the Concord delegation to Nanae in June. The impact of the long-standing relationship is evident everywhere, from the creation of a street named after Concord in Nanae, to gifts preserved and displayed from previous visits. Madame Pinto went on to explain this, noting that “In honor of our sister-city relationship, the main street of Nanae (next to the Town Hall) is called Concord Street. Inside the Town Hall, there are also two large glass display cabinets showcasing gifts they have received from Concord over the past 27 years.”
Concord Street and Town Hall glass cabinet photos courtesy of Madame Pinto
For Madame Pinto, however, the human element was the most moving. “What truly moved me were the human connections: with Nanae staff and host families alike, friendships formed instantly,” she concluded, asserting that a cultural exchange is fundamentally about the friendships we make.
Memorable Moments from the Week and Beyond
During the 2025 fall visit, eight Japanese students and two adults (one town official and one English teacher), were hosted in the CCHS community, all thanks to this program. Many of the students who came enjoyed not only learning more about Concord Carlisle, but also sharing their interests with our school community. This included activities in which Japanese students led calligraphy lessons, a flex block presentation from the Japanese students on their culture, and even a sushi-making lunch was held!
One particularly memorable moment Madame Pinto recalled from a past visit was a Japanese-themed lunch. Madame Pinto recalled the success of the event: “Some students from CCHS had never tried onigiri or maki before, and learning to make these dishes alongside our Japanese guests was a real success.” This year, Madame Pinto planned to have “double [the] number [of students] this year” attend the lunch, opening up the opportunity to both lunch blocks to participate. Up to thirty students in each block were allowed to put their food skills to the test, making for yet another successful event this year.
Background Information and History of CNN
The foundation for the exchange itself was laid by Dr. Tom Curtin, a former Guidance Counselor at CCHS. Dr. Curtin utilized his involvement in the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister state relationship to establish the Concord-Nanae connection.
In 1989, Concord hosted a delegation of 46 individuals from Hokkaido. This event occurred just before Massachusetts officially formed its sister state relationship with Hokkaido in 1990. Subsequent exchanges followed, including a large delegation in 1992 that saw Governor Yokomichi of Hokkaido visit Concord. These positive interactions inspired the town of Nanae to formally pursue a sister city relationship with Concord in 1993. The CNN built upon these efforts, formalizing the student and teacher exchanges that continue today.
Photo courtesy of Madame Pinto (CCHS-CNN Liaison) and Nancy McJennett (CNN Host Family Coordinator)
Challenges faced
Students participating in the program face a range of challenges. Jet lag and the language barrier are common issues, as is navigating differences in food. According to Madame Pinto, “Compared to Japan, there is a ton of cheese in American food, and at least one student has a stomach ache by the end of the trip.” Smaller cultural differences also present minor obstacles, such as the design of showers. Madame Pinto even “created a slideshow to explain it for one of the training meetings” due to the distinct differences between American and Japanese showers.
However, the most significant challenge is overcoming the anxiety associated with international travel and living with a host family. For students who have never traveled abroad, overcoming the fear of living 6,000 miles from home can be difficult.
Program Goals, Structure, and Trip Information
Even with potential obstacles in mind, the goals of the CNN exchange continue to flourish, frequently finding ways to promote cross-cultural understanding, educational collaboration, and lasting friendships throughout the years. This program truly functions as a blend of cultural exchange and academic engagement, rather than just a formal language immersion program. Over the years, the program follows a similar structure. Japanese students continue to visit CCHS in late October, sharing their culture with students across the Concord school district and visiting historical sites in the Concord and Boston areas. Additionally, the program also features periodic travel for American students. “Every four years, CCHS students also travel to Japan for musical performances,” the facilitator, Madame Pinto, noted. It just so happens that this coming year, students from CCHS will travel to Nanae from April 19-27. Pinto explains that this upcoming “trip is open exclusively to Orchestra, Band, and Choir students. Any eligible student who can cover the cost is welcome to participate.” If you happen to be interested in the program and fit the criteria above, Pinto encourages students to “please reach out to Chris Noce for additional details.”
