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Flintshire welcomes Japanese visitors

Published: 03/08/2017

The Chair of Flintshire County Council, Councillor Brian Lloyd recently hosted a formal Civic Reception to welcome six Japanese exchange students to Flintshire. The reception was attended by 40 people, including an interpreter, Mr Koki Kinouchi, to help the Japanese students enjoy their evening. This programme offers a wide range of educational and cultural activities for the Japanese guests including visits to London, Liverpool, Oxford, Chester, Chirk Castle, Colwyn Bay, Conwy Castle, Llandudno and Mold. After this Wales part of the programme, our Flintshire students will visit Miyagi Prefecture where the exchange has taken place since 1991. The Japanese students are Arisa Inoue, Kohei Sato, Miki Numata, Rika Sato,Tomoko Oyama and Yukito Numata The Flintshire students who will be travelling to Japan are: Cassia Hashempour, Ellie Harper, Megan Owens, Phoebe Lewis, Sophie Hodby, and Samuel Wiggs Councillor Lloyd said: It gives me great pleasure to welcome our Japanese visitors. I hope that they will find the visit both enjoyable and valuable. This exchange offers a great opportunity for both countries to learn about a different way of life. They will be staying with families which is the best way of learning. By immersing themselves in the language and culture in a caring environment with fellow students for support, they will hopefully gain a good insight into the language and culture. I hope that the exchange continues for many years as it is such a marvellous opportunity.” To be eligible to apply for a place on next year’s exchange the students need to be 16-18 years old on 1 September, 2017 in full time education in Flintshire or in full time education and residing in Flintshire. To get an insight into what is involved for the students and their families a presentation evening will be held on Monday 23 October, at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Mold. Participating students in this year’s exchange will give a presentation of their experience and the benefits they have gained form it. Parents of the students will also give an insight from their perspective. Applications for the exchange will be available on the night or by contacting Karen Jones 07759295984 or by email karen.jones@flintshire.gov.uk. The exchange is funded by Flintshire Optec Japanese Youth Exchange Trust as well as by grants and donations, including donations from Toyota UK based at Deeside and The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, which supports Japanese educational programmes. Pictured are the Japanese and Flintshire students with parents, guardians, organisers, Trustees and the Chair of Flintshire County Council, Cllr. Brian Lloyd and Mrs Jean Lloyd.