Schools
Students Encouraged to Expand Horizons: Part 2
Local high school students are invited to apply for this summer's sister city exchange program--San Carlos' sister cities are Ōmura, Japan and Metapec, Mexico.
[Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series about the San Carlos Sister City Association's summer exchange program. In this three-part series, Patch contributor Aparna Bhat will introduce you to the San Carlos Sister City Association Student Exchange Program. Yesterday, we gave you an overview of the program's origins and the San Carlans behind it. To read yesterday's story, click here.]
This summer, the trip to Ōmura will be a true exchange, where student delegates from San Carlos and neighboring cities will have the opportunity to visit the sister city while tasting local foods and experiencing its culture, customs, entertainment, and family structure, all while building lasting relationships. The exchange will take place on July 1 – 15.
Ōmura is uniquely known for its brickmaking, farming, silicon chip manufacturing, and pearl culturing. Hoffmann visited Ōmura last year with his wife and had a chance to experience the city and its sights, including nearby Nagasaki.
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“We were very, very well taken care of by the people of the city. They couldn’t seem to do enough for us. They did everything for us. It was just very, very nice.”
The trip to Metepec will take place one month later, from Aug. 2–16; students from Metepec are invited to visit San Carlos in late November for 2 weeks, a time that Urbain said would be wonderful to experience given the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Metepec is uniquely known for a variety of industries, namely its artistry, including pottery, glassware, saddle making, and an art form known as the “Tree of Life,” which dates back to 800 A.D. and is made of painted clay.
Urbain, who traveled to Metepec a few years ago as the partnership began to take form, had the opportunity to visit botanical gardens with beautiful stained glass, and emphasized the vibrant and rich colors in all aspects of life, down to the sweets readily available in the marketplace ranging from caramelos to dulce de leche.
“Geographically, it is a beautiful town,” said Urbain, describing the countryside with its farms and barns juxtaposed with more modern, commercial centers as well.
Urbain hopes that students applying to the Metepec program will also want to practice their Spanish language skills in order to experience further immersion.
Coming tomorrow....who qualifies for the sister city exchange program?
More on San Carlos Patch:
Learning Beyond San Carlos' Borders: Student Exchange Program (Part 1)
Salmonella Threat: Natura Pet Food Recall Expanded
Earth Day Highlights: The Message is Loud and Clear
What to Do in San Carlos This Week?
