EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM HANDA, JAPAN

VISIT MIDLAND

A variety of activities await three students who recently arrived for a three-week visit from Midland’s sister city in Handa, Japan. The students are visiting as participants in the annual Handa-Midland Sister City Student Exchange Program.

The students, who arrived from Handa on Friday, July 23, include two girls, Minori Nakashima (16) and Haruka Iwahashi (17) and a boy, Syota Yoda (18).

While in Midland, each student will stay one week in the home of three different host families who will introduce the students to life in America. In addition, several educational and cultural group activities have been planned including a tour of area high schools, a canoe trip on the Tittabawassee River and a visit to an upcoming Midland City Council meeting.

The most recent visitors join a long line of students who have traveled to Midland and Handa through the Handa-Midland Sister City Student Exchange Program since the program’s origin in 1982. During odd-numbered years, Midland students visit Handa, and during even-numbered years, Handa students travel to Midland.

Funding for the Handa-Midland Sister City Student Exchange is generously provided by businesses and organizations throughout the Midland community.

Midland began its sister city relationship in 1981 as a result of common ties each community shares with The Dow Chemical Company.

For further information on the Handa-Midland Sister City Student Exchange Program, contact the City Manager’s Office at 837-3307.