Each year, the Japanese students visit the public school.
“This exchange program is with Seisa’s special education class,” said San Antonio special education teacher Dino Taitano.
The Japanese students, performed the Yosakoi dance with their San Antonio counterparts.
Takashi Hatakeyama, one of the Japanese students, told the local students: “I want to meet you to make good memories.”
“They come to San Antonio to share their culture. They also shared their knowledge and traditions in paper craft,” said Seisa Saipan Participate and Learn coordinator Eleanor Tudela Tenorio,
Although there was a language barrier among the students, they were able to interact with each other.
“One important thing that Seisa Aoba school principal Satoshi Kuboki mentioned is that even if you don’t understand the language, all you have to do is to show a big smile. And everything should be okay,” said Taitano.
The Japanese students were able to socialize and practice their English language skills.
“The most important thing is the ability to communicate, with a smile or through body language. Just being able to be with kids from other cultures allows them to have an open mind. It is really good for our students as well as theirs,” said Taitano.
The program was started by now retired San Antonio principal Doris Thompson and has been running for 12 years now.
There were 29 students and six staff members from the Seisa Aoba School who visited San Antonio last week.
