It was a typical day in a typical junior high school.

The students gathered around a piano in the music room were full of noise and energy. The tune on the piano was accompanied by giggling and laughter, and kids shoved good naturedly at one another.

It wasn’t until you actually listened to what was being said that you realized what wasn’t typical: English words were flying just as rapidly as Japanese ones. And nobody seemed to notice the difference.

Just as easily as the black and white keys on the piano form a melody, so, too, did the different languages flow in sync between the students, each group learning from the other.

And that was how an afternoon went last month month in Japan, as a team of nine American students – including one from Kentlake High School – learned they had more in common with their teen counterparts there than they had differences.

No matter what the language.

“They meet, and even though their histories and cultures are so different, they really have a lot in common,” said Dave Mortenson, chairman of the Kent Sister Cities program.

The program consists of a two-way swap with families on both sides of the Pacific – a group of teens from the Tamba region of Japan stay with local families in the Kent, Auburn and Renton areas, and then those teens’ families in Japan open their homes in similar fashion to the students from the families here.

Operating with two chaperones (one of whom was this reporter), the American group was following up on a visit here in July by four Japanese students and their chaperones. During their stay in the Puget Sound area, the Japanese delegation was treated to a variety of activities acquainting them with America – visits to area landmarks like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, and a Seattle Mariners game.

In similar fashion, the group of nine American students got a firsthand look at what it’s like to grow up in Japan.

Kent resident Alex Hwang, who attends a transitional school through the University of Washington, said during a break in the week-long trip that he was amazed at the generosity of his host family, in spite of language barriers.

“They’re wonderful at interpreting what you want to do,” he said, noting that electronic dictionaries were proving very helpful. “They’re just so hospitable. “

The host families, for their part, seemed equally enthused about their American guests.

Yoko Kashi, who opened her home to Kent-Meridian High School student Dexter Lesaca III, said Lesaca was a big hit in her house, especially with her younger children.

“My home is very small,” she said, noting that with the sleeping arrangements it required, her youngsters were fighting over who got to sleep closer to Lesaca.

There was also an incident involving Lesaca, a cat and somebody’s head, but Kashi laughed it off as a funny antic and made it clear she enjoyed the American teen’s energy.

The American delegation took trips to the larger cities of Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, in addition to visiting local high schools and junior highs and being guests at several banquets and picnics.

But the youngsters were equally enthused about going home to their families. On Aug. 17, they were treated to an emotional homecoming at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, following a 10-hour flight.

“I miss him. He was gone for 10 days,” said Shirley Hwang, Alex’s mother, after reuniting with her jet-lagged son at the airport.

“It’s been a good experience,” she added, noting Alex might look at his own world a little differently now. “I think he should appreciate home more.”