Cultural ambassadors will soon take off for Japan

DEB BOND

June 12, 2008 at 3:32PM AKST

The Seward International Friendship Association has chosen two local high school students to participate in the 35th annual cultural student exchange program between Seward and its sister city, Obihiro, Japan.

David Herbert, 17, and Trever Clark, 16, will represent Seward while studying the culture of Japan. They’ll become acquainted with local customs, food and historic sites and stay with a variety of host families; they’ll switch to a new home every three days. They’ll also learn a new language, and how better to learn than to be immersed where it is exclusively spoken?

The sister-city exchange program began in 1973 with the support of Yasuhiko Ohsono, whose brother was instrumental in the forging a bond between Seward and Obihiro. An adult program was implemented in 2004 and takes place every other year.

Marcie Treadwell and Mary Daniel were chosen as this year’s exchange adults and will travel to Obihiro with Herbert and Clark.

The participants in this year’s program will be introduced to a place different from Seward, both geographically and culturally.

Obihiro is located in the middle of the Tokachi Plain, which is Japan’s farm belt. The city is known primarily for its agriculture and is surrounded by the Hidaka Mountains.

The city, more than 120 years old, was founded by 27 individuals and has since grown to a population of 170,000.

Any high school student can apply as an exchange student in the program. A second avenue of participation includes hosting visiting students from Obihiro, which offers students and families the opportunity to build friendships, learn new cultural traditions and create lasting memoires. The experience can be life enriching.

Deb Bond is the sister-city coordinator. She welcomes all questions concerning the Seward International Friendship Association and can be reached at 224-7001.