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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.