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Japanese Youth Exchange event
Published: 13/11/2014
Flintshire students who travelled to Japan for the 2014 Flintshire Optec
Japanese Youth Exchange gave a dazzling presentation of their experiences at an
open evening for next year’s visit.
Young people interested in applying for the 2015 exchange, which is run by the
Council, were invited to a meeting last week at County Hall for more
information on the programme.
Last July, six Japanese students stayed with Flintshire students and their
families before attending a civic reception hosted by the Chair of Flintshire
County Council, Cllr Glenys Diskin. The Japanese students spent two weeks
visiting Welsh Castles, Liverpool and London, taking part in workshops and the
daily life and routines of their host families. Two weeks later the Flintshire
students travelled to Japan to stay in the towns of Murats, Kawasaki and Zao in
Miyagi Prefecture with their Japanese host families.
The Flintshire students, Lucy Seddon, Mia Smith, Matthew Pugh, Theo Smith,
William Roberts, and Hayden Hughes were involved in numerous events where they
were introduced to skills and practices familiar to Japanese culture. They
visited Tokyo, shrines, places of natural beauty and were introduced to Samurai
training among many other activities.
Cllr Diskin, who hosted and gave the welcoming speech at the presentation
evening said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people from Flintshire
to see a different culture, living with local families and making friends for
life.
“Flintshire parents agreed that it had been a ‘once in lifetime’ experience for
the whole family and the Japanese students get the chance to visit Wales - the
whole exchange is a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”
The Flintshire Optec Japanese Youth Exchange Trust funds a percentage of the
Flintshire side of the exchange programme including airfares for the students.
The exchange is coordinated by Flintshire County Council and open to all
students aged 16 -18, in full time education at school or college in Flintshire
on 1 September 2014. The closing date for this year’s applications is Friday 21
November.
For further information or application forms contact Beth Ditson, Japanese
Youth Exchange Coordinator on 07786 523 601 or Paula Jones on 01352 704400 or
email beth.ditson@flintshire.gov.uk
Photo caption: Students who took part in last years exchange with Chair of
Flintshire County Council, Cllr Glenys Diskin and Cllr Alan Diskin.