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Show Japanese students have great experience in P.G. For the last two years, Pleasant Grove residents have probably noticed some young Japanese students stu-dents walking from all over town to the P.G. Recreation office building all during the summer months. Most residents, however haven't have-n't realized the scope of what the young people have been learning not only in the classroom, but also from all that they have experienced. Marlene Simmons, the coordinator coordi-nator for AYUSA Pleasant Grove, said that the students have really had a great experience in P.G. She said that the 20 students attend school at the Rec building for seven and a half hours a day. Simmons also said that the curriculum cur-riculum includes learning about American history and culture, several sev-eral speaking exercises, and more. She said that they all have to be exceptional students, with no less than 3 years of training in English before they arrive here. American Slang is difficult for the students, however, when they leave, they seem to have picked it up themselves quite nicely. Marlene Mar-lene observed that they not only are very bright, but that they are also very loving, and appreciate very much the warmth of the people in Pleasant Grove. She gave a couple examples in two of the students that went away to school out of state at the end of the summer, and cried for days because they missed people here so much. She said that one family came and stayed with the host family after their daughter had because they were so impressed with the care and kindness she had received. Marlene said that one mother wrote the host family that she appreciated so much the care she had gotten, but that they had, "stolen her heart." Many of the students havet,.. home in March because that's 7-their 7-their school year starts. Marie'" said that they don't get any s' credit for their year here, an. order not to get behind, most,,; attend until March. The year here with the AYUSf or Academic Year in the Unit States of America is very prK gous. She said that the Japanft! people are very interested inkan. ing to fluently speak English, at-want at-want to know all they can aboutt1-American aboutt1-American culture, many for trit purposes. There are only three AYUSl centers in the United States, i eluding the one in Pleasant Grat The other two are in Washing and California. The kids go all over the Unto: States when they leave here, b:. several of them tell Marlene the they will return to visit one day, Marlene then related a sto that happened when the stuks recently left for their new home She said that eight of the studer,; live in her neighborhood, andfe attended her LDS ward duringfc summer. She said that on their last Sr. day, they asked her if they cot!: sing in church. She told them tk they could, and they sang, "GoJE; With You Until We Meet Again,".: ' the congregation. She said that they sang a vers in English, and then a verse : Japanese. As she looked aw: the chapel, their sweet goodbye not a dry eye in the congregatior She said that she will be ass? ing homes around January, and: anyone is interested in being ate family to contact her before tier. Marlene promised that it is e excellent experience, and that ts host families will make a lastir; friendship with the student |