MHS plays host to Japanese students

Marianas High School played host to over 100 guests from Seisa Gakuen High School in Japan, who arrived on Saipan Wednesday and will take part in several events, including this Saturday’s Cultural Day at the MHS campus.

Their arrival marks the 18th Annual Cultural Exchange Program.

The students were warmly welcomed on Wednesday, with the MHS staff and students organizing a party at the school grounds. Each of the 98 visiting students was paired with a local student or partner, who was responsible for tending to the guest during the scheduled activities.

Yesterday, the 196 students and several staff of both schools toured historical sights, including the Last Command Post, Banzai Cliff, and the Sugar King Monument.

While at the Last Command Post, the visiting students offered a moment of silence in remembrance and honor of World War II events that occurred at the area.

The students then had lunch at the World Resort Hotel and capped off the day with several competition activities.

“They competed in sports and games…its just a fun activity for the rest of the day where our students can get to know their students more and just have a good time,” said MHS counselor Elaine Perez.

Perez said the students are always excited to participate in the program each year.

“They have this very caring, very helpful, very good guest hospitality; it seems to me that their parents have taught them well on how to treat someone from the outside very nicely and well.”

Perez noted that one of the reasons the students were brought to Saipan was to expose them to the English language, but that language barrier also provides an opportunity for students from both schools to improve their communication skills.

“They want their students to learn the English language,” she said. It’s really interesting because they are getting along very well. There are a lot of hand gestures and a lot of non-verbal communication through looks and showing them things. They find ways to overcome the language barrier. All the students are learning a lot.”

Mary Nachu, a student at MHS, said her experience with her visiting partner was great.

“I met a lot of students, and I’m having a lot of fun. I’m learning a little Japanese and they even taught us a song,” she said.

Today, the students from both schools will engage in more cultural exchanges, including weaving, martial arts, and several sport competitions, including Rocball, basketball, soccer, and a tug-of-war. An opening ceremony will be held at 9am at the MHS Gym to kick off the activities.

Saturday is the annual Cultural Day beginning at 8:30am.

On Sunday, the visiting students will host an appreciation dinner at the World Resort Hotel. They will leave on Monday.