Some Midcoast residents are aware of the extraordinary relationship between Bath and Tsugaru City (was Shariki), and there are some noteworthy updates.
In November, our sister state of Aomori Prefecture sent an official delegation to Maine to commemorate the anniversary of the relationship. The delegation specifically wanted time and base in Bath, which is the origin of the exchange as well as the most active program in the state. Commemorative events were held in Augusta and at City Hall in Bath, where students from around Maine created displays to represent their programs. The previous summer, an official city delegation from Tsugaru came to Bath to commemorate the city relationship. The origins of this friendship, in the wreck of the Bath built ship Cheseborough in 1889 off the coast of Aomori, is a story that Japanese students know and is recalled in their history texts.
For those who have traveled to our peaceful rural sister city for the homestay, it is apparent how important this relationship is to Tsugaru. The resources and warmth which they invest in our visit is extraordinary. Many student travelers have gone on to pursue related interests in college and careers, such as other exchanges, ESL work and Asian studies. We now have scholarships for high school students who wish to participate in this travel. Most students and adult chaperones who have been involved in this experience report that it is a wonderful and often “life changing” trip.
As I step away from running this program after 15 years, I can proudly report that we have built a sustainable structure, with support from institutions in and around Bath, including RSU 1 and City Hall. We now have a board and a coordinator who is hired to run the travel and hosting programs in the summer. Please check out our website — Bath-Tsugaru.com — for news and contacts. I also want to thank the institutions and especially the individuals who have supported this wonderful program over the years. We continue to need and value your support, as we continue to recognize the value of international understanding and friendship.
Dr. Deborah Patten
Topsham
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less