Ms.Mai Harada(Sonoda)

The first time I had been to Walla Walla was in the summer of my freshman year of high school.  Just a two-week experience that changed my perspective, my view of the world, and my life.  Since then, I have visited Walla Walla often on a personal basis and have many family and friends there.  Now it is my second home.  Not only do we visit, but as host families, we now look forward to welcoming guests from Walla Walla every fall.

When I first went to Walla Walla, correspondence and collect calls were the mainstream, but now I use social networking sites to keep in touch with friends and family in Walla Walla every day, which makes me feel closer to the wider world.

Now I have a family, and many of my Walla Walla friends and family are getting married and having children. A few years ago, I took my son to Walla Walla who was 2 years old. I was so happy to be able to introduce my son to everyone, and it was a wonderful and irreplaceable experience for my young son.

Through this program, an irreplaceable bond was created, and year after year, that bond has become stronger and stronger, and the family circle has expanded to include my son and children. I am grateful for the efforts of everyone who has supported this program over the years. I can't help but dream of the day when my son will be able to study in Walla Walla, and I will be able to pass this program on to him and the younger generation as a bridge of friendship that will continue into the future. I hope that the pandemic will be over soon and that the circle of exchange will grow even larger.