Global Partners Blog

GPI Outbound Students depart for Japan

gpicanada — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:32:36 +0000

On August 25th, 6 new Canadian students embarked on their adventure, as they travel to Japan on a “Global Partners Institute Outbound Japan Exchange Program”. They left Vancouver International Airport on Wednesday, August 25 for Tokyo, where they took part in a 2-night, 3-day post-arrival orientation, before travelling to their host and school community.

Allyssa Perrin from Prince Albert Collegiate, will be studying at Kanazawa High School in Kanazawa, Japan
Helena Glanville from Yale Secondary School, will be studying at Ritsumeikan Jr/Sr High School in Kyoto, Japan
Tony Elliott from Aden Bowman, will be studying at Nagoya International Sr High School in Nagoya, Japan
Benjamin Wheeler from Father Patrick Mercredi will be studying at Hokkaido Chitose High School in Hokkaido, Japan
Keegan Quinton from WP Wagner will be studying at Fukuoka Jonan High School in Fukuoka, Japan
Stefan LaPalme from Lindsay Thurber will be studying at Momoyama Gakuin High School in Osaka, Japan

Global Partners Institute offers exchange programs to Japan for periods of 3, 5 and 10 months. Full scholarship funding is available for exceptionally qualified and motivated applicants. Programs depart in March and August of each year. For more information on the GPI Outbound Japan Exchange Program, or to apply, please contact Elaine Barausse – elainebarausse@gpicanada.com

Meet Your Reciprocal!

gpicanada — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:55:10 +0000

It was the first day of school at Westwood Community High School in Fort McMurray, Alberta on Monday, August 30th. This day presented GPI staff with a unique opportunity for some introductions. Dara Honeybourne, pictured here with Natsumi Tsuji, had the opportunity to finally meet each other in person. Dara Honeybourne just returned in mid August from her 5-month Global Partners exchange to Japan. Natsumi Tsuji arrived in Fort McMurray on August 14th to begin her 10 months in Canada in the Global Partners AYP Program. As Dara went outbound to Japan it provided Natsumi with the opportunity to get into Westwood Community High School. As most exchanges occur at the same time it is a rare opportunity for both students to be able to meet each other, so this worked out great.

Natsumi is looking at getting involved in Westwood’s conversational Japanese class and Japanese club, where she will be a great peer mentor in teaching Canadian students about Japanese culture and language. In fact it was one of GPI’s former international students that, while attending Westwood, got Dara interested in going to Japan on a GPI outbound exchange. Global Partners looks forward to having many more students from Westwood go outbound on our program. If you are interested in studying in Japan for 3, 5, or 10 months please visit our outbound link at http://www.gpicanada.com/programs/reciprocal.html. Application deadline for the upcoming March outbound program is mid October.

Head Smashed In

gpicanada — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:20:45 +0000

Some of our students who will be studying in Southern Alberta this fall, had the opportunity to visit Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump with Vicki Terrick, the Regional Manager. Uiko Matsuzoe, Yuko Arai, Marina Nishioka, Shigenori Oga, Mariko Watanabe and Keiki Ishiguro had a wonderful time at the Interpretive centre. The day was extremely hot (+30) with no wind, but the view was amazing. They learned about the Native people and their culture in Southern Alberta as well as had the chance to dance with the group.

A Fond Farewell to Nagoya Kokusai HS

gpicanada — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:02:10 +0000

Nagoya Kokusai High School and GPI host families and staff celebrated the completion of the students’ 8 weeks of cultural immersion and English learning on Wednesday night. The sayonara program was completely prepared by the students from Nagoya and their escort, Fern Edebohls. They treated the families to a short PowerPoint presentation on life at Nagoya High School, some wonderful classic music played by Fern and Yuya, and excellent cultural treats of various Japanese foods. Participants got their names written in Japanese and kids got to practice their origami skills with the students. The girls all looked beautiful in their traditional yukatas. The group will depart for Japan this coming Sunday August 22nd.

Thanks for an excellent summer Nagoya Kokusai High School!

Dinner in Style for Nagoya Kokusai HS Students

gpicanada — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:09:15 +0000

On August 11th, GPI staff and students from the 8-week Nagoya Kokusai program in Edmonton, Alberta attended the University of Alberta Gala Ball in the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, Empire Ballroom. This annual function is provided to groups attending U of A ESL programs as a thank you for coming to Edmonton and attending U of A programs.

In addition to the Nagoya Kokusai students, there were over 250 representatives from…
Hokkaido Health Sciences University, Kumamoto University, Kyoto Womans University, NUIS, Sapporo Medical University, Seijo University, Sisen University, Shizuoka University. From Korea there was Kyungwon University and Chungnam University. Veitnam was represented by students from the Government of Vietnam, Program 165. There were also students from the U of A Certificate Program visiting from Korea, Japan, and Finland.

The students from Nagoya Kokusai HS enjoyed having dinner and socializing with all the cultural nations in attendance. Plus it was a grand experience dining in the Empire Ballroom of one of the oldest Canadain Pacific Hotels built in Canada (1905).

Nanzan Girls HS in Prince Albert, SK

gpicanada — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:23:41 +0000

The Nanzan Girls High School sent thirty girls and two teachers as well as an escort to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The group arrived on July 23rd and departed on August 4th. They enjoyed a number of tour activities as well and ESL classes while they were there.

They went trial riding at BuckBoard Ranch and while on this ride they took an opportunity to walk through a canola filed. They went canoeing at Anglin Lake where they also enjoyed a campfire meal of smokies, smores and watermelon. One of the host fathers, Evan Drury, caught a 12 lb Northern pike when he was out canoeing.

One evening the entire student group and their host families enjoyed a BBQ at the Regional Managers’ home. 120 people were in attendance. There was much good food and great connecting of families and students.

Prince Albert enjoyed hosting Nanzan Girls HS and hopes to see them again next year!

Yokohama Suiryo Girls High School

gpicanada — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:05:50 +0000

Yokoham Suiryo Girls High School are enjoying their 3 week summer ESL and cultural immersion in Abbotsford, BC.

This week the Students visited Hallmark on the Park, a seniors’ residence and shared their Japanese culture. They also volunteered at the Vancouver Japanese Language School and helped to prepare for the Festival. The group also went to a restaurant and had the opportunity to practice their English ordering lunch.

IEP Arrivals – July 31, 2010

gpicanada — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:06:20 +0000

On July 31st, 65 new students arrived from Japan to attend GPI’s 2-week Intensive English Program (IEP); which will run in Abbotsford, BC.
Pictured here along with the students are their IEP teachers, Mr Ishtiaq Siddique, Mr Geoffrey Kehrig, Ms Jennifer Stewart and Ms Andrea Davies.

On August 14th the students will transfer to their long-term host communities in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan for the start of their 10-month program. We are very excited to welcome our new students and wish them all the best as they begin their learning adventure in our country.

School’s Out for Summer!!

gpicanada — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:04:28 +0000

On July 29th, the Toyo summer school finished up with a certificate ceremony at the Edmonton Japanese Community Association. The Toyo students made some wonderful pork and noodles for their host families. Each student was presented with a certificate of completion for all their hard work studying. Pictured here are all the Toyo students, along with their TOEFL teacher, Pat Arnold . Their host families attended a party for the girls in support of their students. Have a great August girls!!!

Toyo – Edmonton, Festival City

gpicanada — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:32:08 +0000

The August long weekend is a busy time in Edmonton. Over the weekend the city hosted the Indy race series, A Taste of Edmonton, Capitol Ex and Heritage Days. Some of our students from the Edmonton Toyo program got involved in volunteering at Heritage Days. Pictured here are Rie Matsubara and Miori Hojo serving Yakitori chicken in the Japanese Pavilion. The crowd was entertained by the Edmonton Kito No Taiko drummers… It was a fantastic cultural display!

The Servus Heritage Festival 2010 marks the 35th annual of this premier three-day showcase of Canada’s vibrant multicultural heritage. The Festival featured 63 pavilions representing over eighty-five cultures from all over the world. Students were able to sample culinary delicacies, see creative performances, shop for crafts, artwork, and clothing. It was a great opportunity to chat with people eager to tell you a little about their cultural roots and their present-day communities in Canada.