The program is open to high school students.
This is the 26th year that Saipan and the KSKK, or the International Youth Cultural Exchange program, have been exchanging students, according to Jemalyn T. Tenorio, the mayor’ youth programs coordinator.
The KSKK is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 to develop and enhance activities for international companionship between the youth of Japan and other nations.
Sept. 15 was the original deadline for the submission of applications but only four students from Whispering Palms School have filled out the forms.
Tenorio said the deadline is now Sept. 18 as they need to have 20 students.
Last July, 52 Japanese students visited Saipan, 14 of whom were with the KSKK.
While here, Tenorio said the group visited tourist and historical sites as well as a junior high school to learn more about local culture.
In Japan, the Saipan students will visit historical places and learn about Japanese culture, she added.
The students will visit various government agencies as well as schools and will spend a day interacting with Japanese students.
The Saipan students will be in Japan from Oct. 8 to 15, and their visit will include two days at the homes of their Japanese family sponsors.
The students usually stay at a youth hostel, which is like a dormitory, during the exchange program.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, who is in Hawaii, is not certain yet if he can go with the students, but Tenorio said they will have two chaperones.
This December, she said, a group from KSKK is expected to visit Saipan again.
