‘Exchange students not affected by federalization’

The anticipated implementation of the federalization of local labor and immigration systems in June is expected not to negatively impact the cultural exchange students, majority of whom are from Japan and South Korea.

This was the belief of Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, who administers the traditional Japan-NMI Cultural Exchange Program, which brings foreign students and vice versa to both countries.

Each year, the mayor said, an estimated hundred-plus Japanese and local students participate in the exchange program, which aims to enhance cultural awareness and appreciation among and between local and foreign students.

It was earlier disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security representatives that in order to honor the validity of stay and study of foreign students on island, they are required to obtain a student visa: “F” for academic and “M” for vocational programs.

In the case of cultural exchange program, Tudela is optimistic that the federalization will not have much effect on the entry of foreign students to the CNMI.

“The students under the CNMI-Japanese cultural exchange program are traveling under the special student visa program that entitles them to a week’s stay on the island. I don’t think federalization will change the process for these special students who are on educational trips to the CNMI,” the mayor told Saipan Tribune during a ceremony at the Sugar King last Friday.

However, in admitting that nothing is certain until the actual regulations are enforced, the mayor said his office will do its best to continue the educational trips between the two countries.

Tudela is mulling to use tourist visas for Japanese students in case their short stay will not qualify them for a student visa under the new process.

“If there will be concerns on securing the student visa for them, we may look at how the tourist visa can be applied to these students who will stay on island for only a week,” he said.

Every year, the mayor’s office selects a number of local students to travel to Japan during winter while their foreign counterparts have their trip every summer here.

“It is an important program that I will ask for continuity. The lessons and experiences these students gain from educational trips are valuable. This is something that I don’t think will stop because of federalization,” he said.

Tudela specifically cited the values obtained by students in interacting and actually living with their host families for some days.

During the weeklong trip, foreign students mingle with local families and students.

Grace Christian Academy principal Faith Dela Rosa said yesterday that she’s also expecting the “new process at immigration” not to create much difficulty in the travel of foreign students to her school.

“I don’t think [federalization] would affect our cultural exchange programs at GCA,” she said.

Dela Rosa said the special groups of children from Japanese schools use tourist visas when entering CNMI.

GCA is host to two Japanese schools every year, bringing in approximately 60 students on separate occasions.

In October, two Japanese schools are scheduled to continue the “tradition.”

“We’re still expecting them in October,” she said, emphasizing the worthy experiences gained from the “interaction” between local and foreign kids.

Other schools that also accommodate cultural exchange students on island every year include Marianas High School, Kagman High School, Mount Carmel School, Saipan Southern High School, and other elementary schools.