Japan-N.Z. exchange

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 32

Japan-N.Z. exchange

Student exchanges between Christchurch Teachers’ College and Sonoda Women’s College in Japan could become a regular occurrence because of a “sister college” agreement signed on Tuesday. Five students from Sonoda Womens College have stayed with Christchurch families for the last two weeks. Last Christmas eight Christchurch teacher trainees spent six weeks at

the Japanese college staying with families. “Students who are marching towards the twenty-first century must have an education that leads to an understanding of, and a respect for, the peoples of other countries,” said the president of Sonoda Women’s College, Mr Sadanojo Ichitani, at the signing of the agreement. The principal of Christchurch Teachers’ College, Mr lan Stewart, signed on behalf of the college.

Mr Ichitani said’ that although New Zealand and Japan were both in the Asia-Oceania region there were still many things to learn about each other’s lives. “Therefore, these student exchanges are of great importance in the education of bur young people.” Mr Ichitani and two other senior members of his college, Messrs Kiyotaka Nakagaito and Hiroshi Nakajima, were in Christchurch yesterday as part of a study tour to the Pacific.