Chelsea State Bank ad

Shimizu exchange students visit Chelsea

Courtesy photo from Chris Frayer. Shimizu visitors and Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer.
Courtesy photo from Chris Frayer. Shimizu visitors and Chelsea Mayor Jason Lindauer.

By Lisa Carolin

Five Shimizu exchange students and their chaperone have maintained a busy pace during their visit to Chelsea that could compete with a presidential candidate. They even made time to meet up with Mayor Jason Lindauer at the Chelsea TreeHouse on March 30.

The students are on a two-week break from their school located in Shimizu, Japan and will start ninth-grade when they return home. They are part of the exchange program between the two cities that began in 1993.

“That’s when Deborah and Bruce Oakley‘s son Brian was an English teacher at Shimizu Middle School,” explained Chris Frayer, a coach in the program, who has visited Shimizu three times. “Brian thought Shimizu reminded him of Chelsea, and he encouraged the exchange program.”

The visiting students and chaperones stay with host families.

“Host families set up the schedule each year based on their love of the area and things they want their guests to experience,” said Frayer.

Their activities have included a walking tour of Chelsea, visiting local businesses, going to Chelsea High School, attending a CHS girls soccer game, as well as visiting the University of Michigan Big House, Tiger Stadium, and the Detroit Institutes of Arts Museum.

The Sister City Association of Chelsea runs the exchange program with the intent, “to further international understanding that contributes to goodwill, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.”

More than 200 students from Chelsea have participated in the program.

“Chelsea has seven students and two chaperones scheduled to visit Shimizu in June,” said Frayer, who encourages seventh and eighth-grade students interested in the program to apply. “Students who apply are typically interested in the Japanese culture, love to travel, and are open to new experiences.”

They will be in Japan for 10 days and live with host families in the town of Shimizu, which is located on Hokkaido, the northern island.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More News

Kiera Crawley Aims to Expand Chelsea’s Water Polo Program for Girl Scout Gold Award

March 29, 2023

April 3-4: Auditions for The Only Man in Town

March 29, 2023

Consider Becoming a Sculpture Walk Chelsea Sponsor

March 29, 2023

March 30: Transportation Working Group Meeting Agenda

March 29, 2023

April 1: Night of Amphibians at the Discovery Center

March 29, 2023

April 5: ‘Playful Snacks’ at Chelsea District Library

March 29, 2023

Post Season Chelsea High School Diving Awards

March 29, 2023

Meet Chelsea City Manager Roy Atkinson

March 28, 2023

Chelsea Hospital Sponsors Mood Lifters Mental Health Program at Chelsea Senior Center

March 28, 2023

April 12: Evening Primrose Garden Club Presentation ‘Butchart Gardens’

March 28, 2023

Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority Seeks Education Specialist

March 28, 2023

April 3: ‘Living with our Wild Neighbors’ at Chelsea Library

March 28, 2023

March 29: WCC Spring Career Fair

March 28, 2023

City of Chelsea Receives Awards For Water, Trail Town Designation

March 27, 2023

April 17-23: CEF Online Auction to Support Teachers 

March 27, 2023

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program Has Appointments Available

March 27, 2023

City of Chelsea Has Openings on Boards and Commissions

March 27, 2023

Chelsea City Notice: ZBA Variance Public Hearing

March 27, 2023

April 3: Lego Club at Chelsea District Library

March 27, 2023

Publisher’s Message: Staff Members Buzz and Aidan Having Fun Together Again

March 26, 2023

Save Donations for Evening Primrose Garden Club Garage Sale May 13

March 26, 2023