Applications are now open for the next round of exchange students in Castlegar’s partnership with its sister city Embetsu, Japan.
Castlegar students in grades six, seven and eight can apply for the program which includes visiting Embetsu and other parts of the Island of Hokkaido as well as Kyoto, Hiroshima and the greater Tokyo area during a two-week trip.
The selected students will also have the chance to meet Embetsu students this year when they visit Castlegar in August.
The educational exchange between Castlegar and Embetsu has been going on for 30 years.
The Castlegar-Embetsu Educational Exchange Committee (CEEEC) will be selecting 12 students to travel with two experienced group leaders in 2025.
The fee for each student is a maximum of $4000. This includes all travel costs including meals, lodging, medical insurance, and transportation. The cost per student is estimated to be $5800, but each student will receive a subsidy from the CEEEC’s Shikano Fund.
The Shikano fund was set up by Mr. Shikano to help promote student exchanges between Embetsu and Castlegar.
The students will be selected based on their written application, an interview and their reference. A student’s ability to be an effective ambassador for Castlegar will also be an important consideration in the selection process.
Applications are available at City Hall. The deadline to apply is May 15 and 4 p.m.
For more information contact CEEEC Chair Nick Ahlefeld at 250-304-5791 or Yuri Kutschera at 250-304-4553 during evening hours.
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