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Show www.thespectrum.com — The Spectrum ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS For the week of November 28, 2008 — 13 Submitted St. George resident Val Langston walks along with Japanese residents during a trip to Ibigawa, Japan, earlier this month. Langston joined a delegation that headed to Japan as part of a cultural exchange associated with Ibigawa’s marathon. EXCHANGE e Continued from pg. 12 families and learn about American culture, and St. George set up a similar program for its students. All middle school students throughout the district are eligible to apply for the trip, through Con Wood / For St. George Neighborhoods Japanese students met up with St. George area students during a cultural exchange earlier this month in Ibigawa, Japan. Students from St. George area middle schools head to Japan as part of a cultural exchange associated with Ibigawa’s marathon, which is a sister marathon of the one in St. George. an essay contest where they explain why they want to go, and what cultural lessons they think they could learn. They visit schools, landmarks and events, and meet with Japanese students and representatives. Toshiko Becker, a student at Dixie Middle School, said the trip was a life-changing experience, and especially interesting given her background. To go, students must be selected from a district-wide essay contest. Becker, named after her Japanese grandmother, said it was a trip she had always wanted to take. “Basically, the place we stayed at is the exact opposite of St. George,’ she said. “Green, cloudy and kind of cold? David DeMille / St. George Neighborhoods A collection of gifts, including traditional rice bowls and chop sticks, are among treasures brought home from exchange students' trip to Japan. The houses, vehicles, streets and people were smaller, and there weren't any of the wide-open spaces seen in Southern Utah, she said. Yet, the most remarkable thing is how similar things are, even with the different environment. Despite the language barrier, the interactions and personalities were familiar, she said. “It’s one thing to hear the world’s round,’ she said. “It’s entirely different to actually go there and meet them. It just gives you a wider perspective, and you learn so many things about another culture?” For more information on the exchange, visit www. stgeorgemarathon.com or calf St. George Leisure Services at 627-4500. |