‘Exchange students gained deeper appreciation of Japanese culture’

 CNMI students who participated in the recently concluded student cultural exchange program between the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the International Youth Association of Japan KSKK now have a “deeper appreciation” of each other’s culture.

“The students not only learned more about the Japanese people and their culture, but they all have a deeper appreciation of it and learned that there were some Japanese influence in some parts of our own culture and language,” said executive secretary Vinycia Seman of the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

Seman and James Villagomez, another Mayor’s Office staffer, accompanied students Nicole Meyers, Emiri Angela Iwai, Rachel Borja, Tasi T. Long, Zachary Taitano, Jonah Villagomez, Phalai Frink, Zena Demapan, and Mariana Teregeyo during their trip from Oct. 6 to 12.

Upon their arrival, the group met with KSKK program coordinator Noriko Yamamura who briefed them about program rules and safety procedures as well as scheduled activities.

The group stayed at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center throughout the duration of the trip, except for two days when they stayed with host families.

The group visited the Ueno Zoo, Tokyo Disneyland, and the Observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building during their trip.

The students also performed for their host families, who received certificates of appreciation from Seman as official representative of Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores.

According to Seman, the most touching part of the trip was the Sayonara Party. “Some cried, many smiled, and it was difficult to say goodbye. As I waited for the students to return from their home stay, all students came back with smiles on their faces eager to talk about their experience with their host families,” she said.

The mayor, through Seman, thanked Yamamura and the group for continuing the exchange program which has been “very vital” in creating “stronger international ties” with Japan.

“This exchange program allows our youth to have this mutual understanding of both countries. Mutual understanding, respect for each other now will provide a better means of communications in the future. We all have our own unique culture, but it is opportunities like this that allow us to learn more about other cultures and people around the world,” added Seman.