SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 25, 2021) – Students from E.J. King Middle and High School joined local students from Sasebo schools for a two-day Global Friendship Camp 2021 event at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo’s (CFAS) E.J. King High School, Oct. 23-24.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity – Pacific (DoDEA), with support from U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan and U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ), sponsor the program which allows local Japanese students and DoDEA students to participate in educational and cultural exchanges.
“We are thrilled to hold this friendship program this year again,” said Ichikawa Keiichi, Director-General/Assistant Minister of North American Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. “This program provides a great opportunity for students of Japan and the United States to forge new friendships and I hope they would become a bridge between our two countries.”
During the camp, American and Japanese middle and high school students participated in hands-on activities designed to encourage a diverse perspective on viewing the world, a sensitivity to accept others’ differences, and develop problem-solving skills while working together.
On the first day of the camp, students introduced themselves, exchanged information about famous places and food, and spoke about their daily school life. On the second day, students were divided into five groups that worked to design a character with a theme of Japanese and U.S. friendship.
“It was fun to work with each member of the group to create and vote on the characters,” said Jacob Takumi Kennedy, an E.J. King student. “I enjoyed working and having fun with my group members. I hope we get the chance to see each other again sometime.”
Yuki Kuroki, a Japanese student, added, “I was nervous and speaking in English was definitely difficult, but I was very happy to be able to make friends by the second day. I decided that I want to continue studying English.”
Command Master Chief Dennis Hunt, assigned to CFAS, attended the second day of the camp where he presented awards to participants. Hunt said that he was thankful that MOFA and DODEA had held the event which provided an opportunity for U.S. and Japanese students to participate in a cultural exchange.
“I am positive that this event will have a lasting impact on the students and will also serve to strengthen the already strong friendship between the U.S. and Japan, as well as CFAS’s relationship with our local community,” he said. “It was great to see this event in person, as all of the students looked to be having a great time, and we look forward to this event again next year.”
In addition to the event at CFAS, the MOFA - DoDEA Pacific Youth Exchange Program will provide two-day events on three other U.S. military installations in mainland Japan; Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Misawa Air Base, and Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. A second two-day event at CFAS is scheduled for Feb. 5-6, 2022.
“We are always looking to provide our overseas military-connected students with opportunities to grow as global thinkers,” said Ms. Lois Rapp, DoDEA Pacific Region Director for Student Excellence. “This program allows our students to engage with their host nation peers in an educational setting that fosters collaboration and the formation of friendships.”
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2021 04:07 |
| Story ID: | 407889 |
| Location: | SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JP |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, E.J. King High/Middle School Students Experience Cultural Exchange with Japanese Students at CFAS, by PO1 Jeremy Graham, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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