In mid-January, OCENET welcomed the fifth cohort of the Osaka Gakugei Ottawa Program (OGOP). This group, consisting of 25 Grade 11 students, spent their first two weeks in Ottawa at YPLS before being placed at Bell, Brookfield, Glebe, Gloucester, Ridgemont, and Woodroffe high schools.
As with previous cohorts, the students are here on a 12-month international study and cultural experience. According to Chikae Duggan, the OGOP Ottawa-based Support and Liaison Coordinator, “students in this program grow a lot in their time here”. She adds, “They become more independent and confident as they learn a new language and experience a culture very different from the one back home.
 |
|
Japanese students with their Canadian host families in the Library at 440 Albert Street in January. Seated at front (l-r) Greg Duggan, YPLS Director of Studies, Tom Clark, International Projects Coordinator at Osaka Gakugei Senior High School, and Geoff Best, OCENET Executive Director.
|
In spite of the unfortunate events of this spring caused by the pandemic, the students are remaining positive and looking forward to better days ahead. “The students and their parents have been incredibly understanding and supportive during the COVID-19 lockdown,” states Tom Clark, International Projects coordinator at Osaka Gakugei Senior High School.
According to Clark, Osaka Gakugei remains committed to the OGOP program and, “looks forward to continuing to work productively with OCENET and the OCDSB for years to come.” This is something we at YPLS look forward to as well.
By Greg Duggan, Director of Studies, Young People’s Language School