Saga City Holds Return Report Session for Student Educational Exchange Delegation to the U.S.

Saga City held a “Return Report Session for the Educational Exchange Delegation” on Saturday, May 9, 2026, featuring junior and senior high school students who visited its sister city, Glens Falls, in the United States. The students presented, in their own words, the surprises, personal growth, and cross-cultural encounters they experienced through homestays and school exchanges. A slideshow showing scenes from the local exchange was also screened, looking back on 11 days of friendship and learning across borders. Saga City continues to run an educational exchange program with its sister city, Glens Falls. This year’s delegation included 10 junior high school students and 9 senior high school students from the city. From March 25 to April 4, they spent 11 days experiencing life and exchange activities in the United States. Before departure, the students prepared by practicing songs, dances, and English speeches to be performed at school events and receptions. During the visit, they stayed with host families, attended local schools, and spent holidays together, gaining experiences that could not be found in the classroom alone. Through differences in language and culture, each student encountered new values and perspectives. At the return report session, the students shared what they felt and how they had grown during the trip. Comments such as “At first I was nervous and couldn’t speak, but little by little I became able to have conversations” and “Even if my language wasn’t perfect, I felt that my feelings could still get across” created a warm atmosphere in the venue. The slideshow introduced scenes from school exchanges, homestays, and holidays spent locally, with attendees watching the students’ lively expressions with great interest. Saga City and Glens Falls established their sister-city relationship in 1988. Since then, the two cities have continued mutual student visits every other year. This was the 17th dispatch, and many young people have broadened their horizons and developed an international outlook through the program. Beyond educational exchange, the cities have maintained a wide-ranging relationship through anniversary visits by mayoral delegations and “balloon exchange” activities centered on hot-air balloons. This visit also reflected the long history of the program, with the child of a former first-generation participant taking part, and a person who joined the program as a junior high school student participating this time as a chaperone. Event overview: The return report session was held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the large conference room of the Saga City Youth Center, located on the third floor of the Saga Balloon Museum. Main contents included reports by delegation members and a slideshow screening. Delegation overview: 10 junior high school students, 9 senior high school students, and 5 chaperones participated. The itinerary ran from Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, April 4, 2026, including a 7-day homestay period. More details are available on the city website: https://www.city.saga.lg.jp/main/3821.html. Contact: Saga City International Affairs Division, Tel: 0952-40-7023, Email: kokusai@city.saga.lg.jp.