Tsugaru Students Start Visit

Japanese students swam laps at the Bath YMCA to help bridge the distance between Tsugaru and Bath
Japanese students swam laps at the Bath YMCA on Tuesday, July 26 to help bridge the distance between Tsugaru and Bath.

BY BEN GOODRIDGE

Times Record Staff

The city of Bath on Monday welcomed 12 ninth graders from Tsugaru, Japan, in what has been a successful exchange program between the two cities since 1990. A tour of Maine Maritime Museum and a barbecue on the banks of the Kennebec River kicked off their 10-day visit.

“The student exchange is a really great community activity,” said Anne Schlitt, president of the nonprofit organization in charge of the program. “Bath has opened their arms to Tsugaru and Tsugaru has done the same to us.”

A group of Bath students will leave for Japan next week as the Tsugaru community returns the favor.

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