Twenty-seven Japanese teenagers came to Red Deer to see the stars, the mountains and taste a little maple syrup.
And they will leave with more than a snapshot of Canada after spending two weeks in Red Deer, says Judie Lasante, program co-ordinator with Muskoka Language International.
The teenagers — all girls between the ages of 15 and 17 — arrived in Red Deer on July 24 to study English and to experience every day life in a small city.
Besides practising their English skills, the teenagers have visited the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, taken walks along the city’s extensive trail system, camped and enjoyed Centrefest.
“They are really getting an idea of how we live here,” said Lasante, who is also an elementary teacher in the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division.
Lasante said she would like to see these Japanese students return to Red Deer for high school. In the meantime, she is thrilled to help the students discover how the majority of people live in smaller Alberta centres.
“They are coming to stay with everyday people,” said Lasante. “They wanted to get a taste of what real people do.”
Most teenagers in this year’s group said they wanted to see the stars, the mountains and sample maple syrup. Lasante said the teenagers experienced all three wishes in the first week.
This is the first time in three years that a large group has arrived through the language school. In 2008, 19 male Japanese students studied in Red Deer.
Manami Namiki, 15, has visited Toronto but this is her first time in Alberta. Namiki said the most important part of the two-week trip was improving her English skills. She liked the open spaces in Red Deer.
“Going to a farm, that was very fun,” said Namiki. “I saw horses and I rode on them.”
Namiki, a Grade 10 student, said she is unsure whether she would return to Canada to study but would like to return for more sightseeing.
Likewise Reiko Kataoka, 15, is unsure of her future education plans. She enjoyed her first time in Canada and was surprised of the number of vehicles.
“The air is very clean,” said Kataoka. “There are many cute buildings.”
The Japanese students were also scheduled a seniors living complex, where they will sing Japanese songs and teach the seniors how to make orgami.
The teenagers leave on Sunday.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com