BATH

Calling all with wanderlust, the Bath-Tsugaru Sister City Exchange Program is seeking travelers who are interested in experiencing Japanese culture firsthand through a 10-day homestay in northern Japan this summer.

The exchange program takes place every summer, with students and adults from Midcoast Maine traveling to Tsugaru, Japan, and travelers from the sister city visiting Maine. Both sides will engage in cultural activities and excursions during their stay.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the friendship between the city of Bath and Tsugaru, an encounter that dates back to 1889 when the “Cheseborough,” a ship built in Bath, was shipwrecked on the shores of Japan near Shariki village, now modern-day Tsugaru. Shariki villagers are said to have cared for the survivors and honored the dead sailors.

“The Cheseborough event was, and still is, a big deal in Japan, and we’re trying to make it a big deal in Maine, too,” said Andy Bailes, the president of the organization.

Bailes assumed leadership over the program in January, replacing Dr. Deborah Patten, who led the organization for 15 years.

However, Bailes isn’t the only newcomer to the program. Anne Hershberger, the new program coordinator, and a handful of other leaders are also recent additions to the team.

“I’d like to see us successfully manage the program through the first year with a new president, a new coordinator, and several new board members,” said Bailes of the turnover. “It’s a bit of a challenge getting a bunch of new people together and guide them to one goal. Fortunately, we all share the same overall vision.”

Hershberger added that one of the strengths of the new board members is that most have had previous experiences or connections to Japan, herself included.

For one year, Hershberger taught in northern Japan through JET, the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program, living only a couple hours away from Bath’s sister city.

After moving to Maine, a simple Google search helped her find this “huge connection” to Japan through the Bath-Tsugaru relationship.

As the coordinator, Hershberger is in charge of organizing cultural activities and outings for the travelers from Tsugaru every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., among other responsibilities.

With the organization’s focus on fundraising this year, Hershberger hoped the extra funds would make more scholarships available to Maine travelers and improve the hosting program, to which Bailes agreed.

“To make the organization better, we need support. Either money or in kind services, especially when the Japanese students come here to visit. We currently put together a good program of activities and things to experience,” he said. “But if we had transportation providers, food providers, event providers and some financial support, we would be able to provide an experience that is on par with what the Japanese provide for our students when we send them to Japan.”

Over the years, the program has had more than 1,000 participants from all over Maine, including towns like Bowdoinham, Damariscotta, Freeport, Harpswell and Phippsburg.

“The whole Mid-coast is involved, so this has grown so much more than just Bath,” Hershberger added.

She encouraged students and adults to get involved, as the program provides an affordable way of experiencing the world, and is “worry-free, stress-free — the easiest way to get to Japan,” she said.

In addition to being a cultural ambassador, Hershberger said the experience opens doors to personal growth and opportunities for leadership.

For those who are unable to travel, she encouraged community members to get involved by volunteering to be a host family in August when Tsugaru travelers will visit Maine.

Since joining the team, publicity and “getting the word out” about the program has been Hershberger’s mission.

She has visited local schools and organized information sessions for students about the program, while other plans include starting up Japanese interest clubs at schools and hosting a Japanese story hour at public libraries in Brunswick, Topsham and Bath.

Preparations for the fourth annual Japanese Culture Day, an all-day cultural celebration that will take place in Bath on April 18, are also well on its way.

Hershberger is hoping to add other monthly activities to the agenda in hopes of encouraging the community to celebrate Japan all year long and not just on Japanese Culture Day.

With all the new changes and visions ahead, Bailes hoped the program would continue to flourish in the years to come.

“I’d like to see the program grow with more students traveling to Japan each year. Our program is currently the oldest continuously operating, and most active student exchange program in Maine. I want to see it stay that way, and be better,” he said.

Hershberger was also optimistic about the future of the organization.

“I think one of our strengths is that we’re open minded and willing to move forward — we’re willing to take some risks and try some new things,” she said. “And there’s just a lot of hope with the program right now and we’re getting people who want to get more actively involved.”

More information about traveling or being a host family can be found on www.bath-tsugaru.org, as well as their Facebook page.