KSKK bids Saipan sayonara in farewell dinner
A host family sits alongside students of the Kokusai Seishonen Kenshu Kyokai school at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s World Café Tuesday evening during the group’s farewell dinner. (Fahim Uddin)
Students, teachers, and chaperones of the Japanese school Kokusai Seishonen Kenshu Kyokai joined their host families last Tuesday evening at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan for a farewell dinner at the resort’s World Café.
The 13 students were joined at the farewell dinner by the Saipan Mayor’s Office committee that made the arrangements for their visit.
Tour coordinator Yasuyo Ichihara said she appreciates arranging the trip to Saipan. “The culture and food are different from Japan and I feel very welcome here,” she said.
Ichihara recalled first arriving on Saipan nine years ago; she said she and the students struggled to adjust to the lifestyle of the island. But, with every visit, the group has come to learn to appreciate the historical ties between Japan and the CNMI.
During Tuesday night’s dinner, the students gave Japanese performances to share their culture. Afterwards, musician Gus Kaipat sang a Chamorro song for the visitors.
Student cultural exchange program coordinator Yuki Kishimoto expressed the group’s appreciation to the host families.
“Words can’t express on how thankful I am for the hospitality and condition they’ve been providing to the students,” said Kishimoto.
Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said: “This is a small group that comes here every year and we take care of them for a week. Tomorrow, they will be going to Managaha [Island] or do some shopping” before leaving.
