GREATER LAFAYETTE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL EXCHANGE

From July 9-17, 2024, 11 students from Greater Lafayette participated in a cultural exchange with Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. The goal of the program is to deepen cultural understanding and strengthen the bond between Greater Lafayette and its sister city.

The participating students represented Lafayette Jefferson High School, West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School, McCutcheon High School, Faith Christian and Central Catholic High School.

During their visit, students partook in a diverse range of activities, including visits to local police and fire stations, a traditional tea ceremony, meetings with local officials and tours of Subaru’s main manufacturing facility, the Museum of Kanayama Castle Ruins and city hall. They also experienced the Kegon Falls summer festival.

“This exchange program is a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience life in Japan firsthand. They will learn about Japanese culture, traditions and education, which will broaden their horizons and foster a greater appreciation for global diversity,” said Tom Murtaugh, President of the Tippecanoe County Commissioners.

The Ota Student Exchange Program is open to local youths who live in the Greater Lafayette region and are incoming or current high school students, or recent graduates. Since its inception in 1998, students from Ota City have visited Greater Lafayette, while students from Greater Lafayette have traveled to Ota City since 2012.

Greater Lafayette's sister city relationship with Ota City was established on October 4, 1993, largely due to the recruitment of Subaru of Indiana Automotive. Subaru Corp., the parent company of Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), is in Ota City. This relationship has led to numerous exchanges, with hundreds of Greater Lafayette citizens and business leaders having visited Ota City over the years.

Support for the program comes from the City of Lafayette, the City of West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, a Duke Energy Partnership Program grant, Wintek and Subaru of Indiana Automotive.