October 24, 2025
Global Classmates Builds Bridges Between Japanese and American Youth
Global Classmates is an online cultural and language exchange program that connects high school students in Japan and the United States. The program is administered by Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC), a non-profit co-founded by Ayako Smethurst, who also serves as its Executive Director. Under her leadership, Global Classmates nurtures globally-minded youth through bilingual dialogue and cross-cultural collaboration. In this article, Ayako reflects on the program’s mission, origins and growth, joined by insights from teachers and students who have taken part.
Interview by Louise George Kittaka
