LOWELL | Megumi Sugawara said she is astonished by the size of homes, schools and supermarkets in the United States.

The 17-year-old girl is one of 20 Japanese students visiting Crown Point High School and staying with host families in the area.

Sugawara, a junior at Arima High School in her hometown of Yokohama, said the students arrived March 18 and will leave Friday.

So far, Sugawara has visited Chicago museums, Navy Pier, Crown Point High School and has had an opportunity to shop.

Sugawara said this is her first time in America, and she's not ready to go home.

Sugawara is staying with student Somer Bainbridge, 15, and her family in Lowell.

Bainbridge is a sophomore at Lowell High School who has taken private Japanese lessons for the past few years.

Bainbridge she said is looking forward to visiting Japan one day.