CAMDEN — Ten Japanese exchange students and two chaperones arrived in Camden, but only after their flight from New York to Boston was canceled. A subway and a train ride later, they boarded a bus from Boston to Portland and were picked up by an MSAD 28 school bus at 1:30 in the morning for the final leg of the trip to Camden.

The arrival of the 10 students, from Hirakawa, Japan, marks the 14th year Camden and Hirakawa have exchanged students. The students and the two chaperones will live with host families during their stay this week, before heading out of town again Saturday, Jan. 11. During the visit, Camden-Rockport Middle School students are encouraged to discover just how similar it is to be a teenager whether you’re from a seaside town in Maine or the seaside Aomori Prefecture in Japan.

The CRMS band played both the national anthems from the United States and Japan. Comments were made by CRMS Principal Thom Ingraham welcoming the exchange students and from Ikuko Ichinohe from Japan. Gifts were also exchanged between the two.

Chaperone, or sensei, Sam Piehl is originally from Minnesota, but has lived and taught in Hirakawa, Japan, for the last three years. Piehl studied at the University of Minnesota, majoring in Japanese history and minoring in Japanese language. He currently is an assistant English teacher at seven schools in Aomori.

“It’s my first trip to Maine,” said Piehl. “We had a lot of trouble getting here, but the kids have had a lot of time to sleep. They’ve just been really excited to finally get here and meet everybody.  I think we’re going to have a blast with everyone. There are going to be a lot of activities.”

Contact Chris Wolf at news@penbaypilot.com.