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James A. PalmerCCIM (Broker)Cell: 613.698.5356www.jamespalmer.comBells Corners • $525,000Zoned CommercialGM9 Suitable foroffice, medical,dental, daycareand more!More thanjusta house!Commercial sales andleasing in Canada’s CapitalRe/Max Metro-city Realty Ltd. Realtor (independently owned and operated)R0012122143NEWSConnected to your communityRotary exchange student stunnedby multiculturalism in CanadaJennifer McIntoshjennifer.mcintosh@metroland.comEMC news - When Shihoko Iwatanifirst came to Canada nearly a year agothe prospect of going to a BarrhavenHigh School seemed surreal.The 17-year-old Rotary exchangestudent didn’t speak English andhadn’t traveled much beyond herhome in Osaka, Japan.“I didn’t understand much in theclasses,” she said. “Everything was sonew to me.”It was her grandmother – a longtimeRotary club member – that suggestedshe try the program and stretchher wings.“I was attracted to the concept thatRotary Youth Exchange Students havea mission which is to not only studyabroad, but also to tell people we meetin a different country about our ownhome as representatives of that country.”The exchange is open to youngpeople ages 15 to 25. To qualify, studentsmust have above average gradesand be open to new experiences andcultural differences. They also haveto be sponsored by a local club. Lastyear, the Nepean-Kanata Rotary Clubhosted a student from Thailand. InSUBMITTEDShihoko Iwatani, is heading backto Japan.previous years they have had studentsfrom Switzerland and Brazil. Studentsfrom Ottawa have also been hosted inplaces like France and Russia.Thanksto the program, Iwatani was able tostay in Ottawa for a year. She washosted by three families in the Nepean-KanataRotary Club and tookclasses at Mother Teresa High School.A shy and quiet teen, Iwatani saidmaking friends was difficult becauseshe didn’t speak the language.Despitethe barriers, she was intrigued by thecountry’s multiculturalism.“There are so many different kindsof people with different beliefs andeveryone is so accepting,” she said.“It’s not like that in Japan.”Her first home here in Ottawa waswith a family that was living downtown,so Iwatani had to take the busfor nearly an hour every morning toget to school.“It was a long trip but I got to seethe city,” she said.At first her classes were very difficult,but Iwatani said she has learnedto understand the course material aslong as the teachers speak slowly. Shetook a Canadian history class, financeand ancient history in the first semester.“This experience has made me interestedin studying people from othercountries,” Iwatani said.She played on the school’s rugbyteam and that also helped get her outof her shell. Iwantani’s parents cameto Ottawa in March to see where theirdaughter was staying.“They liked it a lot. I took them toParliament Hill and they also traveled toMontreal and New York City,” Iwatanisaid. “They liked it here in Ottawa becauseit is very green and beautiful.”While Iwatani said she will be happyto return home to her friends and family,she plans to return to Canada againsome day.“I learned a lot while I was here,” shesaid.ArnpriorexecutiveTownhomes3 Bedroom Designswith fully finished rec roomsHardwood & Ceramicincluded!Lower your cost of living by moving just 20 minutes westof Kanata to the beautiful town of Arnprior.You’ll find Callahan Estates just west of Daniel Street on Edey nearJed Creek in old world Arnprior. This stunning location offers the bestof both worlds. You can enjoy the timeless charms of smaller townliving while being a scant twenty minutes from major urban amenitiesin neighboring Kanata and Ottawa. Maybe you won’t want to goanywhere when you call one of our exquisite models “home!”The PerfecT Place To liveTownhomes, Bungalows, Two-sTorey & semi-DeTacheD homesEach can bE customizEd to mEEt your lifEstylE and tastEs!Starting From$220,000 *0530.R0012124073Call Now to Reserve Your Dream Home…Phase 1 Now Released for Fall Occupancy24 wolff crescent , arnprior, ontario(613) 622-0033 • www.campanale.comSales Centre HoursMonday - Thursday: 11am-6pmSaturday, Sunday & Holidays: 12pm-5pm44 Kanata Kourier-Standard EMC - Thursday, May 30, 2013