The last batch of the AFS JENESYS participants with Director Kiyoshi Takeuchi of the
Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), during the Pre-Departure Orientation last August 18, 2011
Four Filipino high school students from different parts of the country left for Japan on August 19, 2011 under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths Programme or the JENESYS Programme . This is the last batch from the Philippines chosen by the Government of Japan, in cooperation with the American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Programs.
The four students, namely Joshua Elijah Lopez Babasa (Nazareth Christian School of Antipolo) , Victoria Fay Velez Chang (De La Salle University Manila), Geen Camille Bendanillo Garsuta (Puerto Princesa City National Science High School), and Rachel Ann Trinidad Sengco (Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon Campus), will attend high school classes in Ichinomiya Commercial High School, Ichioka Senior High School, Kobayashi Senior High School, and Obihiro Ootani Senior High School respectively, for a six-month period.
During their stay in Japan, the students will experience living with their Japanese host families and communities, interact with Japanese students in their schools and visit historical and cultural sites in Japan. All these activities aim to deepen the students' understanding on Japanese culture, society, education, and politics.
A pre-departure seminar was organized by the AFS Intercultural Program on August 18, 2011 at the Pinoy Pamilya Hotel to orient the AFS JENESYS participants on what to expect during their stay in Japan. Director Kiyoshi Takeuchi of the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) was present to deliver a message and to answer questions from the students.
The JENESYS Programme was launched based on the Government of Japan's announcement during the Second East Asia Summit (EAS) about the plan to invite 6,000 young people mainly from East Asia Summit (EAS) member countries to Japan every year for five years from 2007. The main objective of the program is to promote mutual understanding through youth exchange within the region. Under the programme, the Government of Japan has invited more than 1,000 Filipino youths to Japan to hone their skills and expertise through the sharing of experiences, and to promote appreciation of each other's culture for better Philippines – Japan relations in the future. All expenses incurred during the program will be borne by the Government of Japan.
