A group of five Year 11 students led by two teachers -Cikgu Pengiran Sebah binti Pengiran Haji Momin and Cikgu Chan Yee Peng from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Secondary School (SMYSHHB) - left for Japan yesterday for the SMYSHHB's 4th Wakayama Homestay Programme 2016. The delegation will be in Japan from November 29 to December 8, 2016 and will be staying in the Wakayama Prefecture for the duration of the trip.

Present at the Brunei International Airport to send-off the participants were Noorhaizamdin bin Haji Mosbi, Chief Executive Officer of YSHHB School; Mohd Dani bin Haji Zailani, Education Officer of YSHHB; Cikgu Hidayatallah Waqiuddin bin Haji Mohiddin, Acting Principal; and Cikgu Noorhafizah binti Alias, Senior mistress.

The objectives of the visit are to learn about Wakayama and Osaka and compare the difference in way of life of the Japanese with the life of Bruneians. It is also to gain firsthand knowledge on the various local industries of Japan such as soy sauce factory and rice and grain production. Participants will also visit world heritage sites in Wakayama, attend school presentations at Keifu High School and meet with the mayors of cities and University of Wakayama students.

In terms of cultural exchange, the participants will witness the rich heritage of Japanese culture, etiquette and core values in life as expressed in the Japanese art of flower arrangement (Ikebana), the famous tea ceremony, silk industry, lacquer ware, calligraphy and art appreciation. They will also get to see the progressive changes that are taking place in Japanese culture under Western influences and technological advances, while also appreciating the religious differences.

The programme also hopes to cultivate character building, caring for one another, team building, hard work and discipline.

The participants will be visiting the KAO Corporation, Sin-nittetsu Sumikin (steel industry), Wakayama Castle, Yuasa traditional area, Kumano Hongue Shrine, River hot springs and Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha,Kumano High School and many more.

The participants will pay a courtesy call to the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture, Mayor Kimino. Participants will also have the opportunity to wear the Japanese traditional costume in Kobe City and witness the tuna fish processing process in Marin City.

According to the school, SMYSHHB's first Wakayama Homestay Programme from December 2 to 12 was launched in 2013, when a group of 10 people comprising seven students and three teachers went to Japan. The following year, eight people comprising six students and two teachers went on the trip from December 1 to 12. In 2015, eight people consisting of six students and two teachers participated in the programme. The students were hosted by Japanese families.

In August this year, Wakayama University sent eight high school students on a programme to Brunei where they visited SMYSHHB. The international students were hosted by Bruneian families during Hari Raya. This exchange programme promotes cultural exchange between Brunei and Japan.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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