First ever ‘eco-cultural’ exchange program in the CNMI

As part of the CNMI’s way to foster goodwill between Japan and the CNMI, the first ever “eco-cultural” exchange program kicked off yesterday morning at the Carolinian Utt in Garapan among high school students of both countries.

Students from Izumi High School based in Osaka joined Kagman High School and Saipan Southern High School students in planting trees at the beach and picking up trash.

About 50 young coconut trees were planted along the beach line of the Carolinian Utt.

Students from the Izumi High School join Kagman High School and Saipan Southern High School yesterday morning at the Tipiyeew Cultural Village-Carolinian Utt beach for the first ever eco-cultural exchange program. (Jayson Camacho)

Gordon Marciano, Pacific Development Inc. general manager and exchange program coordinator, said the activity enables the students to share their respective cultures through the protection of and learning about the environment.

Marciano’s words were echoed by KHS principal Leila Staffler, who also said it is part of the Public School System’s goals for students to interact with other cultures.

“One of the wonderful things to learn about this is that it gives our Marine Biology Club groups to showcase what they have been learning through the coral watch program and is an example of project-based learning work,” Staffler told Saipan Tribune.

She said the activity supports PSS’ goals of having students who are career- and college-ready by enabling them to go out and actually apply what they have learned.

“What we are doing is an application into the real world of the kinds of things we have been teaching our kids about environmental awareness and environmental literacy,” she said.

Izumi High School principal Katsuaki Kawai said the tree planting was not only about cleaning the environment but also an intercultural way to enhance mutual understanding. Kawai said the CNMI shares a very deep history with Japan and the students are here to interact with their CNMI peers.

Izumi High students Otani Ryo, 16, Morita Yuuto, 17, Hattori Masaki, 16, and Otonashi Masahiro, 17, told Saipan Tribune that they are learning a lot and are pleased to mingle and be friends with high school students here on Saipan.

SSHS student Keoni Borja, 17, said this was his first time to experience the exchange program and it has allowed him to meet many of the Japanese students. He enjoyed the experience so much he wants to do it again next year.

A plaque to commemorate the event was also installed on a tree.

After lunch, the Japanese students made their way to the Fiesta Resort and Spa to learn about the preservation and protection of marine life.

These students will be leaving for Managaha Island today, Thursday, to look at corals, collect medicinal herbs, build sandcastles, and hand out flyers to tourist about how to protect the island’s delicate ecosystem.

The students will then have an outing and cultural exchange activities tomorrow, Friday, at Fiesta Resort and Spa with the Saipan Mayor’s Office and Marianas Visitors Authority.

The students will leave Saipan Saturday afternoon.

MVA provided water, trash bags, ice and gloves for yesterday’s event, the Saipan Mayor’s Office provided tents, chairs, and a portable restroom, and the Carolinian Affairs Office provided the venue. Others present to promote environmental awareness were the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, CNMI Forestry, and Bureau of Environmental Coastal Quality.