Saint Mary’s University (SMU), Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, celebrates the successful completion of the academic year of its AFS (American Field Service) Japanese exchange students, Miyu Oishi and Subaru Honda, members of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) 25 Cycle, in close collaboration with AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines. SMU has been a consistent partner of AFS Philippines in intercultural programs, hosting exchange students who promote global understanding and cross-cultural learning within the academic community.

Marking significant academic milestones, Miyu Oishi advanced to Grade 11 in the Junior High School and joined the Grade 10 completers during the Moving Up Ceremony held on March 29, 2026. At the same time, Subaru Honda, under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand, completed Senior High School and graduated from Grade 12 during the SHS Graduation Ceremony on April 14, 2026. Their achievements highlight a year of academic growth, cultural immersion, and meaningful engagement within the SMU learning community.

Beyond academics, both students actively contributed to campus life through sports and co-curricular engagement. Miyu Oishi represented SMU as a volleyball athlete, while Subaru Honda participated in both football and baseball, demonstrating teamwork, discipline, and school spirit throughout their exchange experience.

Throughout their stay, the exchange students demonstrated remarkable adaptability, discipline, and openness to intercultural learning. Fully immersed in the Marian academic environment, they actively participated in classroom instruction and built strong connections with peers, fostering deeper intercultural understanding within the campus community.

A vital component of their exchange experience was the unwavering support of their host families in Bayombong, who provided a nurturing and supportive home environment. Subaru Honda was hosted by the family of Mrs. Sigrid Grace Turqueza Noble, while Miyu Oishi stayed with Mr. Gerald Mart B. Gamboa and Mrs. Rona Gail Gamboa. Both families are repeat AFS host families, underscoring their sustained commitment to international exchange and cultural understanding. The AFS students will stay in Nueva Vizcaya for more than a month until June 2026 after achieving their academic milestones.

This milestone underscores SMU’s continuing commitment to global education and intercultural exchange, reinforcing its role in developing globally competent and culturally responsive learners prepared to thrive in an interconnected world.