LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of students at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville got a taste of Japanese culture.

Students from Japan brought martial arts, pop culture, tea ceremonies and more to the school.

“I really liked trying the matcha," said Sacred Heart freshman Ava Triplett. "I’ve never had matcha before; it was really cool.”

Eight exchange students stayed with U.S. families. Triplett's family hosted exchange student Riko Kosaka for her nearly two-week stay.

“I grew up as a military child, so I’ve lived in many different countries, but it was really cool seeing it from a different perspective," Triplett said. "I enjoyed just having someone there because both my siblings are out in college now." 

The students from Japan got a taste of Louisville by going to the Kentucky Derby Museum and the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory.

“I went to Crumbl Cookie, and I like it,” said Shiika Nakamura, an exchange student.

The exchange went beyond food, as students also learned about differences in the classroom. Kosaka said students don't ask questions during instructional time in the classroom, a practice often encouraged in the U.S. 

“Very different; while in class, many students raise (their) hand and ask teachers," Kosaka said. "It's very (surprising)."

The last time Sacred Heart hosted students from Japan was more than a decade ago, but the school was excited to welcome them back.

“One of the things that we really want students to see, is to get out of the bubble that sometimes is just this city or this school that we live in and be able to see from different perspectives,” said Marie Griffin, coordinator of the Katie Brown Endowed Global Hearts Travel Program at Sacred Heart.

Through the same program, Sacred Heart students will travel to Iceland over spring break for environmental education.