Social Science instructor joins int'l youth exchange program in Japan

Ms. April Rose C. Estrella, a Social Science instructor in Southern Leyte State University-Tomas Oppus Campus, flew to Japan on February 21, 2022 to participate in the inbound program of the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange Students and Youths (JENESYS) on February 22-28, 2023 in Japan.

Ms. Estrella is one of the nine (9) Filipino youth leaders of batch 30 chosen by the National Youth Commission (NYC) of the Philippines to represent the country in the said program.

NYC is a government agency in the Philippines that specifically addresses issues surrounding Filipino youth, and envisions itself as the voice and advocate of the youth to become enabled, involved, and patriotic Filipino youth realizing their aspirations. Their mission is to promote sustainable development policies and programs for and with the Filipino Youth

This is the first time that NYC chose a Gandilan (SLSU employee) to become one of the Philippine representatives in this international program.

There were only 10 selected Filipino Youth delegates for the entire country. Five (5) of them were screened and selected by the Commissioners of NYC and the rest were selected by the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), the official agent for JENESYS conducting the program schedule, travel arrangements, and acceptance of the participants, and also serves as the guarantor and reference for the delegates upon arriving in Japan.

JENESYS is an exchange program supported by the Japanese government where it invites some 6,000 young people from ASEAN countries and Timor Leste with the aim of promoting cultural understanding and friendship.

The Inbound Program of JENESYS aims to bring students and youths from Asia-Pacific region to Japan to promote mutual trust and understanding among the people of Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, and build a basis for future friendship and cooperation. It also encourages an understanding of Japan’s economy, society, history, diverse culture, politics, and diplomatic relations.

As of writing, Ms. Estrella is already in Japan for her first day as one of the Philippine representatives for the JENESYS exchange program. As part of the program, she shall undergo orientation and will move to different cities to experience Japanese culture and technology.