The Welcome and Farewell Reception for Chiba City Junior High School Students
2024/8/30
Group photo of Chiba students and host families
Consul General Naganuma
JASH Vice President Mr. Ishikawa
Leanne Reynolds, Head of School at River Oaks Baptist School
JASH Executive Director Patsy Brown
On August 23, the Consulate General of Japan in Houston held the Welcome and Farewell Reception for Chiba City Junior High School Students at its official residence.
Chiba City and Houston, which have a sister city relationship, take turns sending an annual youth exchange group to their counterpart. Since its inception in 1982, more than 200 students have participated in the youth exchange program between the two cities. This year, four junior high school students from Chiba City and one accompanying teacher were sent to Houston for 10 days from August 14. The reception was held on the last day of the program, the day before the students were to return home, and included groups involved in the youth exchange program such as the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), River Oaks Baptist School (ROBS), and the host families of the students.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Naganuma welcomed the delegation of Chiba City students to Houston and thanked JASH for their efforts in organizing the program, ROBS for receiving the Chiba City students, and the host families for their hospitality. To the Chiba City students, he emphasized the importance of youth exchange in further developing the friendship between Japan and the U.S. and expressed his hope that they will actively contribute to Japan and the international community as global human resources in the future.
After greetings from JASH and ROBS officials, Vice President Ishikawa of JASH, which organized this year’s exchange, presented the students with certificates of completion. In addition, students from both cities shared their memories of the program, and the Chiba City students gave a “Yosakoi” performance to express their gratitude to their host families and the program organizers.
The Consulate-General of Japan at Houston is committed to supporting Japanese youth exchange programs.
Chiba City and Houston, which have a sister city relationship, take turns sending an annual youth exchange group to their counterpart. Since its inception in 1982, more than 200 students have participated in the youth exchange program between the two cities. This year, four junior high school students from Chiba City and one accompanying teacher were sent to Houston for 10 days from August 14. The reception was held on the last day of the program, the day before the students were to return home, and included groups involved in the youth exchange program such as the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), River Oaks Baptist School (ROBS), and the host families of the students.
In his opening remarks, Consul General Naganuma welcomed the delegation of Chiba City students to Houston and thanked JASH for their efforts in organizing the program, ROBS for receiving the Chiba City students, and the host families for their hospitality. To the Chiba City students, he emphasized the importance of youth exchange in further developing the friendship between Japan and the U.S. and expressed his hope that they will actively contribute to Japan and the international community as global human resources in the future.
After greetings from JASH and ROBS officials, Vice President Ishikawa of JASH, which organized this year’s exchange, presented the students with certificates of completion. In addition, students from both cities shared their memories of the program, and the Chiba City students gave a “Yosakoi” performance to express their gratitude to their host families and the program organizers.
The Consulate-General of Japan at Houston is committed to supporting Japanese youth exchange programs.
