Shikaoi Exchange Program

Shikaoi has been a sister town of Stony Plain, A.B, CA (Alberta, Canada), since 1985 and has thus enjoyed a cultural relationship for 15 years. In 1996, the first student exchange program was initiated. All tenth grade students, of Shikaoi High School flew to Stony Plain to experience their first homestay in Canada. Every year thereafter students have had the same wonderful oppotunity to develop close ties with Canada in a very personal way. Overall, it has provided time to further cultivate a mutual understanding between Shikaoi and Stony Plain.

Last year marked the fourth year of the student exchange program. Sixty-one students of the tenth grade experienced life in Canada with a host family. The following is a brief list of events during their stay:

Classes at Memorial:

Here, students attended a variety of classes including cosmetology, chorus, food studies, art and music. The Shikaoi students were encouraged to participate in these classes. It truly was exciting as many of these classes were completely new to our students.

Demonstrations of Japanese culture.

This was a chance for Shikaoi students to demonstrate a number of Japanese traditions such as: Origami, Shodo, Sado, Judo, Kendo, and Yosakoi dance. They toured various schools and nurcing homes in the community.

Trip to the Rockies

Our stay also included a wonderful trip to Jasper. Here we toured the splendid nature of the Rocky Mountains including Beauvert Lake, Mt. Whistler and Marine Valley.

Canada Visit Report

"I'll never forget forever" (Yayoi Morita)

This Canada Visit was wonderful for me. I experienced so many things which I have never tried in Japan. Among them, the best memory was my homestay.

My host family had four people. They were all gentle, generous and considerate. I was epecially happy because they had a high regard for my opinion.

During my homestay, the most difficult thing was, after all, to speak English. It was more difficult than I expected I could not speak in proper sentences. So I could hardly make myself understood in English. But my host family people tried to listen to my poor English so that they could understand me. They also helped me by talking slowly and using easy words. Thanks to their help, I found that I could speak English little by little.

One of the the happiest memories for me was the special present my host family prepared for my birthday. I was so moved, and thought, "What kind people they are!" When I read the birthday card, I wept for joy. And when my host mother hugged me, tears were coming to my eyes again and I couldn't stop crying.

Also at the hotel in Jasper, I celebrated with people I met for the first time. I could feel the kindness of Canadian people. And that is the precious memory which I'll never forget for all my life.

Now back in Japan, I think of how I will try to show the same kindness as Canadian people. I feel I have grown through this Canada Visit. I have so much gratitude to my host family and I will never forget them. I also appreciate the people of Shikaoi for my joining such a program.

Thank you very much.

Memory of Canada Visit

"Moved with Chorus class!!" (Satoko Omae)

The Chorus class was the most interesting class for me. I thought it was the very kind of class that we don't have in our Japanese high school. The most surprising thing was to watch the teacher dancing and singing with a microphone during the class, and that students were singing loudly and dancing as well to the songs. I didn't see one shy student. I wish I could receive such an enjoyable class here in Japan.

Introduction of Japanese Culture

Happy Time in Our Showcase (Maki Sugawara)

When we made a crane with origami in an elementary school, I was very happy because children were impressed. During free time, it was to busy because thet all gathered around and asked me to teach them how to fold origami, but they were so cute with blinking eyes, so eager shining. When they came to me, and said Thank you, I was so glad. In the senior citizens home, they were also delighted to see us fold cranes and frogs with origami!

A Short Trip to Jasper

Nice Landscape! (Shingo Imamura)

This trip is a good memory because I don't know if I can go there again in my life. I had been interested in the Rocky Monuntains before I came here and, so I was satisfied with the nice scenery of Jasper. Even from the bus, we were surrounded by beautiful nature.

Especially, the scenery we looked down from the mountain was wonderful. I also enjoyed dinner at the hotel, especially because we were celebrated our birthday and ate birthday cake!