Olinka C. Chaudhry, youth program coordinator of the Saipan mayor’s office, said the first group, the KSKK, or the International Youth Cultural Exchange Program, comprises students from different schools in Tokyo and will arrive on July 25.
The 20 four to eight graders will stay here until Aug. 1 and will visit schools and learn about the cultures and traditions of the Northern Marianas, Chaudhry said.
The students will be staying with their local family-sponsors, she added.
The second group is from the different schools in Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya. This group, which will stay here until Aug. 4, is called Sanpo-en and is led by Buddhist priest Kansho Kayaki.
They annually visit Saipan to offer prayers at the war memorials here.
Chaudhry said they are expecting 30 students and 10 chaperones in the 30th annual visit of the Sanpo-en group.
“We expect a bigger ceremony because this is their 30th visit,” she said.
The group of high school students will visit the Last Command Post, Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff.
While on Saipan, the group will stay at Hopwood Junior High School and will also spend two days with local hosts.
The group will visit other tourist spots on island as well as schools for a cultural exchange program.
Chaudhry is encouraging residents to sign up for the home stay program for the visiting students.
Those who are interested may call 234-6280 or -6208.