5 Reasons Why Schools Choose Izena Island's School Trip Homestay Programs

Let's do Izena again next year."

More and more schools are telling us so. There are a number of areas in Okinawa that offer overnight stays, but Izena Island has its own reasons for being chosen. The warmth of the hosts, the depth of the experience, the security of the hosts, and the changes in the students. All of them are unique to Izena.

In this issue, we will introduce, from a slightly flat perspective, the "5 reasons" why school trip overnight stays on Izena Island are supported by school officials.

Students' reactions are different because the "substance" of the experience is rich.

There are standard experience programs. But at Izena, we have devised a way to make it more than just a standard program. The sanshin is not just played and that is the end of it. When making food, the students are told that the vegetables are from the island, which leads to a discussion of the food culture. This allows the students to feel as if they were involved in the project themselves, not that they were made to do it.

Flexible and accommodating onsite!

School trips are always full of unexpected events. However, in Izena, there are staff members who are ready to respond to sudden changes in weather or illness by saying, "Well, let's do it this way. Because we are a small island, our strength is that we are able to work in a face-to-face relationship. The teachers are reassured by the islanders' flexible response without having to make major adjustments.

It is designed to give teachers "leeway.

Izena's educational trips are not designed on the "premise of running teachers. After a thorough preliminary inspection and meeting, the island side takes the lead on the day of the trip, allowing the teachers to concentrate on their support role. We often hear comments such as, "Normally I am too busy to see the whole picture, but this time I was able to take my time and watch over the students.

A "relationship that makes you want to continue" that doesn't end with "I'm glad you came.

After the educational tour stays are over, they send letters to each other, revisit each other, and connect with each other on social networking sites. The overnight stay on Izena Island is not a one-time experience. The islanders remember you and tell you to come back. This is a valuable experience that will remain in the students' memories forever, and allows them to feel the "connection" that goes beyond "learning.