01/30/2008

SAISUA, CSIP and Inawashiro International Association jointly organized the first "JASSO intercultural exchange program for international students" on Jan. 12, 2008 at Inawashiro Skiing Grounds. This program is financed by JASSO and Nakajima Foundation. A total of 50 people participated in the first event in the program, and included 20 international students, 5 ski instructors, 5 Japanese students, faculty and staff members, and staff of the Inawashiro International Association.
For most of the international students, it was their first experience skiing. They received a ski lesson by English-speaking instructors, starting from how to walk while wearing skis on a slope. They eagerly practiced skiing for the whole day, despite occasional snow flurries.
Events from this program will continue to be organized by this partnership for a total of three events for the fiscal year. The second event was held on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, and the international students had an intercultural exchange with children from local sports clubs. The final event is scheduled on Saturday, February 2.