A Farewell from the Heart

After seven years in Japan and within the warm embrace of the MST community, our family will be setting off for a new adventure in New York City at the end of June.

Our hearts are filled with bittersweet emotions. While we are excited to open a new chapter across the ocean, it is incredibly hard to close the one that has so profoundly shaped our lives.

In the Heart of Japan

When we–Nicolas and Sandrine–first met in Japan 16 years ago, we never imagined that this country would become the backdrop of such a beautiful and transformative family journey. Sharing our love for Japan with our four beloved children—Virgile, Apolline, Dorian, and Aurèle—has been a gift beyond words. This land has not only brought us closer but has helped us grow together.

Living in Japan with our children has been one of the most enriching and structuring experiences of our lives. From Pine to Cedar, Hazel, Oak, Maple, Ginkgo, Willow and Eucalyptus, MST teachers have guided and nurtured our children with boundless generosity and care. Thanks to these seven years at MST, our children are now equipped with confidence, respect, compassion, resilience, curiosity, openness, and a deeply rooted appreciation for multiculturalism—values that will guide them as they step into their next chapter in the USA.

In the Heart of Montessori

As parents, MST has also shaped us. We’ve learned the power of positive discipline, the delicate art of balancing kindness with firmness, and the deep meaning of education that touches both the mind and the heart.

Maria Montessori once said: “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” This vision of education lives and breathes in every hallway and every classroom at MST. Compassion, curiosity, and community are not just values here—they are lived each day.

As we prepare to say goodbye, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Pete Juds, who welcomed us into MST seven years ago; to James, who has supported our family with such kindness and strength; and to every single teacher, staff member, and friend who has shared their care, wisdom, and patience with our children and with us.

You can leave Japan—but Japan never really leaves you. MST and its beautiful people will always live in our hearts. Japan is, and forever will be, our second home.

There is one word in the Japanese language that captures everything we feel at this moment. A word we will carry with us always: natsukashii—a “happy nostalgia.” That’s what MST has given us. And for that, we are endlessly grateful.

With all our love,

The Jolly Metzger Family

Virgile, Apolline, Dorian, Aurèle, Sandrine & Nicolas