Saint Peter High School is fortunate to have foreign exchange students attend classes here during most school years. These students provide a valuable opportunity for our students and staff to learn about a new country and culture, as well as teaching them about life in the U.S.
(SHOWN ABOVE) Masazumi Shindo is an exchange student from Japan who is spending the 2025-26 school year as a student at Saint Peter High School.
This year SPHS will have two exchange students attending classes for the 2025-26 school year - Masazumi Shindro from Japan began classes in the first semester while Henry Miranda Erbst from Brazil began classes on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
The following is a Q&A profile of Masazumi:
Parents and family members in Japan - My family consists of five people, and I have two younger brothers.
Host family members - My host family consists of my host parents (Katherine and Steve Anderson of Cleveland) and two younger sisters and four younger brothers.
Hometown in Japan - I live in Tokyo (pop. 14 million).
Hobbies and interests - Hanging out with my friends.
What is/are your favorite class(es) here at SPHS? - Outdoor education (with Mr. Hanson)
What activities are you involved with here? - I'm on a basketball team.
Have you visited the U.S. before? - No I haven’t. This is my first time here!
What was the biggest adjustment(s) you had to make when you moved here for this school year? - That is the difference in language. I haven't been able to express my feelings as well as I hoped. I don't think I've shown even 10% of my true self to my friends here, but I’m working on it!
Are there any new things you've tried here that you've really enjoyed? - I shot a gun during an outdoor education class.
What do you miss most about life in Japan? - Hanging out with my friends. In Japan, I hang out with my friends almost every day when I’m back home.
Will you have to return to high school back in Japan, or will you move on to college/post-secondary school? - I will return to high school
Is there anywhere here in the U.S. you'd like to visit before returning back to Japan? - I want to visit the Mall of America!