As of Aug. 22, his office had already spent $10,790.73 for the program and related activities for fiscal year 2011.
In its budget submission to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Affairs, the mayor’s office said it has been promoting friendship, respect, peace and mutual understanding between Saipan and other countries like Japan and Korea for over 30 years through the student exchange program.
The mayor’s office said the program gives students, host families and communities an opportunity to learn and value other cultures and build long lasting friendship.
“Businesses greatly benefit from their shopping activities as well as [our] purchasing of products and services such as food, water, hotel, transportation and vehicle rentals,” the mayor’s office said.
It added that it has partnered with other organization and entities such as the Saipan Junior Chamber, the Saipan Business Language Institute and P’Art Music Academy to assist with youth exchange programs.
Recently, the Marianas Visitors Authority requested assistance to coordinate another exchange program with Itoda City in Fukuoka, Japan, the mayor’s office said.
“Unlike typical tourists, students return home with meaningful memories and a unique bond with local families,” it added.
Now, the mayor’s office said social network messages also allow host families to be connected with the visiting students.
“Families from Japan have more of a reason to come back to our island because of the bonds and friendships established with their local hosts who are only three and half hours away via plane ride,” the mayor’s office said.
It added that the program is beneficial to everyone in the community and to the economy.
The growing number of exchange students coming to the commonwealth “proves” that it is a successful program “that should be supported more by our local government.”
Since its creation in Nov. 1973, the International Youth Association of Japan, or KSKK, has undertaken various activities to “cultivate global thinking of youth” through its exchange programs which include Saipan.
For its part, the Sanpo-en student cultural exchange group founded by High Priest Kansho Kayaki has been visiting Saipan for over 30 years now.
