A student exchange between countries is a great feat for the students, though is often also challenging for the parents.
The Manitowoc International Relations Association (MIRA) and Kamogawa International Relations Association were able to continue their Annual Summer Exchange Program this year, after keeping it on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, six students travelled to the sister city in Komogawa, Japan for 10 days to experience their culture.
Then on July 30th, students from both Komogawa and Manitowoc travelled to Wisconsin, where they are spending another 10 days together.
With all students in Manitowoc, the U.S. parents are experiencing an adjustment.
Tori Leiterman, a parent to a host student, explained her experience so far.
“They’ve been so busy I’m a little sad that I don’t get to spend as much time as her,” She revealed. “Last night we spent probably half an hour just talking about our money and their money and comparing all the differences between here, our customs, and theirs. It truly has been like having another daughter in the house.”
Another host mom, Stacy Bautista shared her initial nervousness about what turned out to be a great experience.
“It’s definitely a blessing,” she said. “I have to say, at first, I was stressed out and now I’m just like ‘ok’. I stepped way out of my comfort zone and my circle.”
Overall, parents and students alike have shared they have had positive experiences with the program. Parent, Tracy Pleus explained it best, saying “The whole experience for our kids and for them, it’s an opportunity to step a little bit outside of your comfort zone in a really safe space to broaden that perspective and how different things are also very similar. I just think it’s a great opportunity for kids this age to have that experience and gain that perspective.”
To see pictures from both trips in Komogawa and Manitowoc, visit MIRA’s Facebook page.
