WHILE Japanese visitors from our Sister Cities in Japan, Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Russia are learning to say g’day, Port Stephens has Sister City relationships through a Council Committee with Kushiro, Yugawara and Tateyama in Japan, as well as Bellingham in the United States, Victoria in Canada, Tauranga in New Zealand and Nakhodka in Russia.
The group organises regular student and adult exchanges.
In August a group of five Japanese children will be visiting Port Stephens and enjoying home stays with local families.
Remember to say Konnichiwa if you run into these students as they enjoy a trip of a lifetime.
While they are here they will experience and learn about Australia’s culture while enjoying our beautiful environment.
Every year there are exchanges where adults can participate in home stays in other countries through the program.
The Sister Cities committee also participates in the PacRim Yacht Challenge which gives opportunities for Port Stephen sailors to compete in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Japan and Russia.
Harper Heiler who has been on the Port Stephens Council’s 355C Sister Cities Committee for many years told News Of The Area, “This is a wonderful program to be involved in where you can make lifelong friendships.”
“All the people I have met through the program have been wonderfully friendly.”
“The exchange of culture allows for attitudes to change and in home stays and home hosting you gain a real insight into how people from across the world live,” he said.
Anyone can become a part of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Program.
There is a small joining fee which covers insurance but otherwise you can become a part of these enriching exchanges.
By Marian SAMPSON