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The FSM students met the former Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori, on their visit to the diet building. Asked by the former Prime Minister if any of them intended to become President of their country, the students avidly raised their hands. Former Prime Minister Mori welcomed the students and assured the delegation of Japan’s continual support for the program.
Since its inception in 2001, the National Institute for Youth Education has been conducting student exchange programs with the Micronesian Countries and has this year marked its 10th Anniversary. This year 39 students and 8 chaperons from our four states participated in the exchange.
The students, ranging from 9 to 14 years of age, arrived in Japan on the 18th of June and departed 1st of July, 2011. Except for their excursion trips, the group was lodging at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center located in central Tokyo.
“We went to many places” commented one student, and that was no understatement. On their itinerary were tours to the National Diet Building and a visit to the Tokyo Tower among many others. As a young lady from the Yap delegation remarked, “the only thing I had trouble with… was the fast pace and early starts”.
On the 23rd of June, they visited Shoto Junior High School in Shibuya Ward of Tokyo where they took part in cultural exchange and other programs. Aside from interacting with their Japanese peers, the students engaged in sports activities among themselves as well as with students from our neighboring countries of the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Through these activities, the students were able to forge domestic and international bonds of friendship. As a representative from Yap commented “the friendship formed among Micronesians and Japanese is strong.”
The students also visited Nagano Prefecture, famous for its highlands located in the center of the Honshu Island, via the bullet train on the 24th to 26th of June. The students took a cable car ride to Kumagatake were they enjoyed snow, for some, a first time experience. “We did so many things, like touch the snow!” remarked a young lady from Kosrae.
At Nagano, the students also took part in youth exchange and home stay programs. The trip to Nagano proved to be a memorable event as a young lady from Kosrae noted, “we really liked our trip.. , and we already miss our host family…”
The group returned to Tokyo on the 27th of June. On the same day they attended a farewell reception with representatives from the Japanese Government and from the three Embassies of Micronesian Countries. All island groups entertained one another with speeches, songs, and dances.
Reflecting on their visit, a young lady from Chuuk remarked “I really think the 10 days experience (has) strengthen our friendship.” It was not surprising to find that she was not the only one who felt the sentiment. “I have mixed feelings, I am happy to go home but am sad to leave all (my) friends..” commented a young man from Yap.
Although most of our student groups left Japan on the 28th of June, due to the limited flight availability to our State of Kosrae, the Kosrae delegation stayed for extra days in Tokyo where they participated in further activities, including a visit to the embassy.
Although this program has been ongoing for a decade, this was the first time that students visited the embassy. The Kosrae delegation was welcomed by Ambassador Fritz and the whole embassy staff. The Ambassador gave a short briefing on activities as well as roles and responsibilities the mission is undertaking and urged the students to gambare in their school work, “as one day, you might be here in this position”.
The National Institute for Youth Education also sends Japanese students of similar age group to our country on an annual basis. This year in July, Chuuk State will be hosting the Japanese student delegation visiting FSM.
