The Castlegar-Embetsu educational exchange committee is preparing for the group’s upcoming trip to Japan.
The committee will be taking applications from students in grades 6, 7 and 8.
A main goal of the program is to give students the opportunity to learn about the customs and cultures of another country.
Embetsu is a small town on the northern tip of the island Hokkaido with a population of 3,000 and fishing and agriculture as its main industries.
The program is in its 22nd year and involves a student exchange with visits alternating between Castlegar and Embetsu every other year. The goal of the program is to reinforce the relationship of goodwill and understanding between the young people of the two cities.
The student exchange was facilitated by a grant from the Shikano Fund, provided by a Japanese businessman born in Embetsu.
To date, 72 students from Castlegar have visited Embetsu, and 57 Japanese students have visited here. Students act as ambassadors for Castlegar and Canada.
Application packages can be picked up at Castlegar City Hall. Applications,must be returned to City Hall by 4 p.m. on April 5.
For more information contact Jennifer Ahlefeld at 250-365-0886 or Yuri Kutschera at 250-365-7785.