Olinka C. Chaudhry, the mayor’s youth program coordinator, said they have also started accepting applicants from local students who want to participate in the cultural exchange program in Japan this October.
Twenty slots are available, she said.
Mayor Juan B. Tudela said Saipan should provide good accommodations to Japanese cultural exchange students because “our counterparts in Japan are treating well our students.”
Chaudhry said they have regular sponsors for the visiting Japanese students, but they need the help of more residents as there are two groups from different cities in Japan that will arrive this month.
The mayor’s office has 15 sponsors and each will get accommodate two Japanese students.
At least 60 Japanese students are expected to arrive on July 25 and 28. They will stay here for at least a week.
“For more than two decades we have been conducting this cultural exchange program and we need the community’s support, so that we can continue this friendship between Saipan and Japan,” Chaudhry said.
She said the mayor’s office will start accepting applications for CNMI students 10 to 16 year’s for the October cultural exchange program. Invitations will be posted at schools.
While in Japan, the Saipan students will learn about the culture and traditions of the Asian country.
“They will be living with Japanese families for two days,” Chaudhry said.
Those interested to sponsor the visiting Japanese students are requested to visit the mayor’s office at Afetna Square, in San Antonio, or fax 234-1190.
