Principal of Eagle Butte Rocheal Howes, Rena Katayama, Natsuka Nishida, Mao Yamanaka, Hikara Kawano, Kanon Miyake with PRPS international homestay co-ordinator Andrea Pillman.--NEWS PHOTO SAMANTHA JOHNSON
reporter@medicinehatnews.com
Prairie Rose Public Schools welcomed five Japanese students – Rena Katayama, Hikara Kawano, Kanon Miyake, Natsuka Nishida and Mao Yamanaka – into Eagle Butte classes this month. The students arrived in Canada in early October and have one more week left before flying back home next weekend.
The students attend Shoin Junior and Senior High School in Kobe, Japan, which was founded in 1892 to educate girls.
“In today’s globalized world, language skills, such as English, and cultural understanding are crucial,” head teacher Mr. Shinohara wrote in an email. “The study abroad program to Canada is part of the student’s Global program with an aim of deepening their understanding of global reality.”
The trip allows the students to practise their English skills and learn about different educational systems, which will help them prepare for their future.
“Japan is known for its homogenous society with Japanese as the primary language, which lags behind countries like Canada and the United States in terms of diversity,” added Shinohara. “Therefore, we aspire to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Canada’s diverse culture and truly experience the concept of diversity.”
Principal of Eagle Butte Rocheal Howes said Eagle Butte is excited to have the exchange students at the school.
“It’s so good for us to have students coming from other cultures and showing us their ways and their food and the way they write.”
Hikara Kawano liked taking classes, particularly information processing, at Eagle Butte. Two enjoyed music classes the most, another said foods was her favourite and Mao Yamanaka liked cosmetology, which isn’t available at her school in Japan.
“I feel freedom, especially at school,” stated Kawano. “School in Japan, there are lots of school rules, which is really strict for us. When I am in Eagle Butte, I feel really free so it’s lots of fun.”
Not having to wear a uniform and being able to wear accessories, such as earrings, were two aspects they liked. The young women weren’t as enthusiastic about the early spell of cold weather and snow, although one made a snowman with her homestay family. Poutine was hands down the favourite Canadian food for all of them.
Each one has done different activities with their respective host families. The two that stood out for Kawano were playing pickleball and taking a trip to Elkwater.
Katayama celebrated her sixteenth birthday while she was here and said the day was an unforgettable memory.
Nishida’s homestay family lives on a farm, which she has never experienced before, and she enjoyed spending time with the animals, including sheep, goats and a llama. The night they arrived it was clear and Nishida said the night sky with all the stars was memorable.
Yamanaka made T-shirts with her homestay family and she appreciated having a handmade keepsake to take back to Japan.
Miyake’s host family likes to hike and took her out to Elkwater where they walked one of the trails. She liked the nature and took lots of pictures.
“The lake waters are so clean,” said Miyake, “I was surprised, there are no plastics.”
On their return, each must write a report and give a presentation on their Canadian experience, including the differences from Japan and adding in some history of Canada.
Andrea Pillman is the international homestay co-ordinator for PRPS and works closely with the school, homestay families and international partner. It is her job to pair up each exchange student with a homestay family and to ensure each international student is successful, safe and comfortable.
Pillman took the group to Medalta this past Wednesday evening where they had a guided tour of the museum and were going to work with clay. If the roads were good, they are scheduled to travel to Drumheller this weekend.
The program needs homestay families for Colombian students due to arrive in November and Brazilian students coming in 2024. Contact Pillman directly at 403-502-6244 if you are interested or would like more information.
