Olinka C. Chaudhry, the mayor’s youth program coordinator, said they are looking for families willing to take in young Japanese students who want to know more about local culture.
“For more than two decades we have been conducting this cultural exchange program — we need the community’s support so we can continue this friendship between Japan and Saipan,” Chadhry said.
There will be two groups of students scheduled to visit Saipan this month — the members of the KSKK and the SANPO-EN Youth Organizations
The KSKK students will arrive on July 25 and will stay here until Aug. 1.
The SANPO-EN group will arrive on July 28 and stay until Aug. 4.
The KSKK students are eight to 17 years old and this year will mark their 29th Annual Summer Student Cultural Exchange Program.
SANPO-EN students, who are 12 to 17 years old, will have their 30th Annual Summer Student Cultural Exchange Program this year.
“As a tradition, we send our Saipan students to their country to learn about their lifestyles — out young students stay for a few days at a Youth Hostel, which is similar to a dormitory,” Chaudhry said. “While in Japan, our young students live with Japanese families and learn a bit of their culture and daily lifestyle. In return, the Japanese students travel to Saipan usually in the summer time.”
Those interested to be home-stay sponsors should visit the mayor’s office at the Afetna Square in San Antonio or call 234-6208/80, 235-7304, 234-6225 or 235-7444.
