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Students wanted for Japan student exchange
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Posted on Aug 26 2004
The Saipan Mayor’s Office will be sending some 20 students to Tokyo from Oct. 6 to 14 for its student cultural exchange program, marking the 25th year that the program is being done.
Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela said the International Youth Association of Japan, or KSKK, had contacted him last week and indicated that they are willing to accommodate at least 20 students for the exchange program.
Students ages 11-15 years old from both private and public schools are urged to participate in this annual program that will give them the opportunity to experience the Japanese culture, tradition, food, and customs.
Youth Program coordinator Olinka Chaudhry is working with the airlines to determine the fee for the local student fare.
“I have already two [students] on the list. Right now I am checking with the airlines to see how much is the cost for student fare. Normally it would be around $300 [but] it won’t cost any more than $400,” she said.
According to Tudela, the International Youth Association of Japan and host families will provide meals, transportation, and accommodation for the students of Saipan.
Tudela will accompany the students to Japan, along with three staff from the mayor’s office to serve as chaperons.
This will be the first time that Tudela will accompany the students for this particular exchange program. Conflict of schedule prevented him from taking part in previous years.
“Every year they [KSKK] would ask me if I could go on the trip, and this will be the first time that I will go. They were so happy to hear that. In the years before, I had other commitments that I had to attend to, and that’s why I couldn’t accompany the students there,” said Tudela.
Parents of the children are obliged to provide the airline tickets and in ensuring that their child has a valid passport.
Students participating in the program must have a leave of absent from their school. “We will contact the school to see if the student is okay to go on the trip,” said Chaudhry.
Applications are available at the Mayor’s Office in San Antonio. Interested students must pick up an application there. For more information, call 234-6208. (Cassie DLG Fejeran)
