It was moving.
The group of Japanese students sang their way through Let It Go as thanks to their newfound friends.
On Sunday, Aug. 16, nine Japanese exchange students aged 12-15, and their homestay families hosted a culture fair at Squamish Public Library. It was an intimate introduction to Squamish for the students on their week-long visit.
Kate Siddall, program co-ordinator and ESL teacher during the summer months, was keen to share the details of the students’ itinerary at great length. Some of their outings during their seven day stay included meeting Mayor Rob Kirkham at municipal hall, riding the
Sea to Sky Gondola, and touring
Quest University.
Richard Hoshino, a math teacher at Quest who served as the translator for the speaker from Mustoka Language International, Arata Nito, said it was important to him that the students had the opportunity to tour, “one of Squamish’s best treasures.”
“I really wanted to share with them a question-based, inquiry driven model of education,” which differs so vastly from the traditional ‘spoon feeding’ method of teaching,” he said enthusiastically.
Hoshino emphasized that the concept of the exchange with Squamish’s sister city of many years, Shimizu Cho, was about so much more than just learning English, but also about being “able to communicate across cultures.”
“We do English language games, and art, and learn about Canadian culture,” added Siddall of her morning ESL classes.
For many of the students who take part in the program, the exchange is their first experience abroad.
For the Squamish families who host the students, the experience on their end is just as enriching. Annie Ofstie, an 11-year-old girl whose parents have been participating in the exchanges since before she was born, said her favorite part of having the students share her home was the opportunity to learn their language.
A Japanese manga and anime enthusiast, Ofstie’s dream is to live and teach in Japan. She also described forming close bonds with some of the students her family has hosted in the past, saying she’s exchanged phone numbers and written letters to a couple of girls she felt a particular connection with.
“I’m always really impressed with the students,” said Siddall. “They’re always eager to learn about Canada. They’re usually very respectful.
“I really believe in programs like this. I think it’s a nice blend of academics and being out in the community.”
Hoshino believes these types of experiences are helpful to students no matter what they want to do in the future. “It’s a transformational experience,” he said. “[And] it gives us a chance to be a great ambassador for Canada.”
