Tudela made the assurance during a special ceremony at Marianas High School to conclude the five-day visit of students and teachers from Japan’s Seisa High School.
“My involvement in these programs has been very rewarding,” he said.
This year is the 12th home stay program hosted by MHS, its principal Karen Borja said.
Kuniko Sasaki, Seisa international relations director, and the 14 students received certificates of appreciation before they left Saipan yesterday afternoon.
Borja said the group arrived on Nov. 12.
The Japanese students attended MHS classes, spent time with their host families and visited tourist and historical sites on Saipan, she said.
This January, Borja said MHS will send nine students to Japan.
Tudela said the program is very important because it promotes student educational and personal development.
He said students learn to share their different and unique cultural heritages and social challenges.
“These cultural experiences will unite the CNMI and Japan,” the mayor said.
He encouraged the visiting Japanese students to continue communicating with their local counterparts and to share their wonderful memories about Saipan.
The mayor at the same time thanked Borja and the MHS staff for their “untiring efforts and support” for the program.
“Your commitment and dedication ensure its success,” he added.
