Fundraising has begun for the 2018 Yubetsu, Japan student exchange trip

The Whitecourt International Friendship Society is planning to send another group of students to Yubetsu, Japan next summer and held its first fundraiser, a barbecue, on Saturday, April 22 at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. Grade 10 students Sarah Mohler, Thanh Pham, and Samia Davidson took part in the barbecue fundraiser working hard to raise money for the trip. “It’s a student exchange trip for students between the ages of 14 and 18,” said Thanh, “You get to spend two weeks in Japan; one week with a host family, and the second week touring.”

With so many amazing things to look forward to on the trip, Sarah said she is most excited about living with a host family and attending school with the family’s children. “We’ve been researching it and I’m really excited.” The girls agreed that they are very eager to taste all sorts of delicious meals from sushi to ramen.

Thanh and Samia have a bit of insight into what they can expect on the trip as their families hosted Japan students in the past. “I have a slight idea of what the people are like and I’ve done research, too. I’ve been interested in the culture for a couple of years so I’m really excited to go.” When asked what Kaon Hata, the student who lived with Thanh liked the most about her time in Canada, Thanh said, “She really enjoyed the culture here and getting to experience Canada a bit. She really liked the poutine,” laughed Thanh.

“I think it’s really great that Whitecourt offers the opportunity for students to go to a different country and experience it at its fullest, both the country and its people.” said Thanh. For nearly two decades, students from Yubetsu, Japan, Whitecourt’s twin town, have been coming to the community and sharing their culture. Past events have included drumming and travelling around to area schools to teach traditional Japanese games and origami.

Parent Laura Mohlersaid, “It’s an annual trip for up to 20 students. We have eight going right now so there’s room for more students to join. There’s the opportunity for long-term stay which is two months and short-term stay which is two weeks.”

“The kids are going to be doing a lot of fundraising between then and now. We have some bottle drives, some candy sushi pop-up stands, and more barbecues.” Laura also mentioned that the students are up for doing even more. “If anybody in the community needs these guys to volunteer and raise some funds, they can definitely let us know. They are very eager to fundraise as much as possible.”

The student exchange has been happening since 1998 and the trip to Japan next summer will mark its 20^th year. May 16 is the next meeting planned for the committee and it will be held at 5:15 p.m. at the AJMC.  Anyone who is interested in taking part or helping with the fundraising is invited to attend. You can also contact Fay Arcand at 780-778-3637 ext. 417.