A Memorable Visit from Wakayama

Thanks to support from the Florida-Wakayama Cultural Association, two University of West Florida exchange students from Wakayama, Akari and Misaki, visited New Smyrna Beach. While there, they assisted with the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Sister State Relationship between Florida and Wakayama at the beautiful Atlantic Center for the Arts.

They went to four galleries, three museums, an art house installation, met artists, and the mayor of the City. They gave a presentation about Japan to a group of 6–12-year-olds and visited Canaveral National Seashore. They also met a UWF alum that owns a Dairy Queen and got to pull their soft serve ice cream. The Atlantic Center for the Arts intern, Natalie, was their guide.

Everyone in the community embraced them, gave them gifts, treated them to meals and made them feel special.  

View more photos from their stay at this link.