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

Silver Maples Gallery 100 to feature Ann Arbor Women Artists

September 2, 2012

Week in review: Aug. 26-Sept. 1

September 2, 2012

Faith in Action to benefit from benefit dinner on Sept. 13

September 2, 2012

Garden Party to benefit CCH Comprehensive Cancer Center

September 2, 2012

Chelsea mourns the death of Bob Daniels

September 1, 2012

Chelsea host to Special Olympics’ cycling and flag football events

September 1, 2012

Chelsea community needs to eat less, move more, seek healthier lifestyles

September 1, 2012

Emergency outdoor warning siren test Saturday at noon

September 1, 2012

Chelsea football begins season 0-2, losing Thursday night to East Lansing

August 31, 2012

At the Market: Saturday, Sept 1

August 31, 2012

A reader’s favorite rock photo

August 31, 2012

U-M, MSU and Lion football fans take note

August 31, 2012

Abbi Crowder’s mission trip to Thailand may have sparked a new life mission

August 31, 2012

Songwriting featured in new concert series at The Depot Wednesday

August 31, 2012

Flags lowered to half-staff for Neil Armstrong until sunset Aug. 31

August 30, 2012

Firefighters get upclose view of new U-M Survival Flight copter

August 30, 2012

Matthew Hagood hired as new building trades teacher

August 30, 2012

Calling all high school students: SAT/ACT free practice test scheduled

August 30, 2012

Flags at half-staff for Navy Seal David J. Warsen of Kentwood

August 30, 2012

Spiffy Jiffy

August 29, 2012

Beach Middle School sixth graders get glimpse of new school, new classmates

August 29, 2012