Two Lasallian schools from across the world had an opportunity to come together to share traditions and learning experiences when Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, recently hosted a contingent of nearly 80 students and 10 faculty members from Hakodate La Salle High School in Hokkaido, Japan.
Throughout the week, the Hakodate La Salle students were immersed in the Lincroft school’s daily schedule by attending classes, participating in extracurricular activities and sharing camaraderie during lunch. The week began with a welcome assembly on Monday and concluded with a grand farewell ceremony on Friday. More than 40 current CBA families volunteered to serve as host families for the Hakodate La Salle boys.
“Having the students from Hakodate La Salle visit with us demonstrates how Lasallian education reaches across countries, languages, cultures and religion,” said Christian Brother Frank Byrne, CBA president.
“I think both the students of CBA and the students of Hakodate La Salle both benefited from this experience,” said Brother Frank, as he extended appreciation to Christian Brother Fermin Martinez, Hakodate La Salle principal, for taking the initiative to arrange for his school to visit Lincroft.
Brother Fermin said it is his hope that the two schools will have opportunities to come together in the future.
“I hope this experience at CBA is just the start of something bigger,” Brother Fermin said. “What underlies this entire week is that we are all Lasallians. We have a special bond that opens each other’s’ hearts, so we worked so well together. The students at both schools do not focus on cultural differences which makes everyone feel equal and enjoy one another.”
Both Brother Frank and Brother Fermin reflected on how the term “Lasallian” refers to the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, St. John Baptist de La Salle, and the unique type of education that schools deliver across the world. Brother Frank and Brother Fermin are eager to have their respective schools, though they are 6,000 miles apart, come together again in the future.
“My classmates, with open arms, created an instantaneous bond with the Hakodate students,” said CBA senior Tim Murray. “There have been countless times this week when I have seen our CBA students socializing with those from Hakodate as if we were each other’s classmates. This week proved that we are more similar to each other than different.”