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86 Japanese students on island for exchange program
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Posted on Nov 10 2011
A total of 86 Japanese high school students arrived on island Wednesday night to take part in a cultural exchange program organized by the Saipan Business & Language Institute, which has been conducting these programs since 2003.
The Japanese students, ranging in age from 14 to 18, arrived with principal Hidehiko Gomi, teachers Kazutaka Oyanagi, Atsushi Futatsugi, Junko Nakajima, Kanae Hara, and tour coordinators Satoshi Hirabayashi and Yukikazu Ishikawa.
The group, assisted by Saipan SBLI staffers Leilani Detablan, Armi Cucal, Vira Starr Cucal, Weilly Brana, and Karl Melchor, visited Grace Christian Academy yesterday to meet their student counterparts.
Each Japanese student was paired with and introduced to a GCA student who served as their “buddy” for the day. During introduction, buddies were able to exchange gifts with each other. They also took part in basketball, volleyball, indoor games, and presentations
GCA principal Marsha Owens said this is their first year working with SBLI for a cultural exchange program.
“Our students enjoy getting to know other students and a little bit about the Japanese culture,” Owens told Saipan Tribune. “Every year, they look forward to the cultural exchange.”
The visiting group’s activities yesterday also included meeting with the senior citizens at the Aging Center.
The group will be staying with some 41 host families from today until Sunday.
“The main goal is to have students stay with local families and experience their culture while learning English,” said SBLI’s Armi Cucal.
The group is scheduled to fly back to Japan on Monday.
