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Flintshire welcomes Japanese visitors

Published: 08/08/2016

The Chair of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Peter Curtis recently hosted a formal Civic Reception to welcome six Japanese exchange students to Flintshire. The reception was attended by 38 people, including an interpreter, Mr Koki Kinouchi, to help the Japanese students enjoy their evening. This programme offers a wide range of educational and cultural activities for the Japanese guests including visits to London, Liverpool, Windsor, Chester, Chirk Castle, Colwyn Bay, Conwy Castle, Halkyn, and Caerwys. After this Wales part of the programme, our Flintshire students will visit Miyagi Prefecture where the exchange has taken place since 1991. The Japanese students are: Ryosuke Kimura, Kota Sakuranaka, Moeko Sato, Nodoka Sasajima, Rena Omiya and Ryo Suzuki. The Flintshire students who will be travelling to Japan are: Kerina Perhat, Cameron Gemmill, Olivia Andringa, Ruth Stubbs, Lola Seddon and Megan Roberts. Cllr Curtis said: I’m delighted to welcome our Japanese visitors and hope they have an enjoyable and valuable experience. This exchange offers a wonderful opportunity for both countries to learn about a different way of life and culture. Staying with families is the best way of learning by immersing in the language and culture in a caring environment with fellow students for support. To be eligible to apply for a place on next year’s exchange the students need to be 16-18 years old on 1 September, 2016 in full time education in Flintshire or in full time education and residing in Flintshire. To get an insight into what is involved for the students and their families a presentation evening will be held on Tuesday 1 November, at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Mold. Participating students in this year’s exchange will give a presentation of their experience and the benefits they have gained form it. Parents of the students will also give an insight from their perspective. Applications for the exchange will be available on the night or by contacting Karen Jones 07759295984 or by email karen.jones@flintshire.gov.uk. The exchange is funded by Flintshire Optec Japanese Youth Exchange Trust as well as by grants and donations, including donations from Toyota UK based at Deeside and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, which supports Japanese educational programmes. Pictured are the Japanese and Flintshire students with parents, guardians, organisers, Trustees and the Chair of Flintshire County Council, Cllr. Peter Curtis and Mrs Jenny Curtis Consort.