Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Every year a number of countries from around the world are invited to send a delegation to join the Ship for World Youth (SWY), a unique international cultural exchange program organized by the Japanese government.

After 5 years, Peru has once again been invited to take part in this program, which brings together over 250 youth to broaden their international awareness and foster global cooperation.

In January 12 Peruvians will act as ambassadors for Peru and take part in the 21st edition of the Ship for World Youth with delegations from Japan, Canada, Egypt, Fiji, New Zealand, Norway, Tonga, Venezuela, and Yemen among others.

The program is to begin in Japan on January 14 with the arrival of the foreign delegates, who will spend a few days on a homestay with a Japanese family.

Peruvian and other overseas youth will have the opportunity to experience Japanese life firsthand.

The young delegates will then board the Nippon Maru cruise ship and visit Vanuatu, Tonga and New Zealand, returning to Japan on March 3.

On board the ship, Peru's delegates will participate in activities that will allow them to share the views that the youth in the Andean county hold on a variety of issues.

The ambassadors will also present Peruvian culture, history, customs and values and take part in a series of discussions and seminars.

After an arduous selection process, eleven Peruvian students and professionals from diverse careers were chosen to take part in this year's program.

They will be accompanied by their national leader Oscar Malaspina, who took part in the 16th year of the SWY.

The Peruvian group is currently taking part in activities to bond with each other (e.g. volunteer projects, Japanese classes, folkloric dance rehearsals) and attempting to raise the necessary funds for their delegation's official presentation.

Click here to read more about their activities.