Former foreign exchange student travels around the world to visit Posen

Ever since Yasuhiko Negishi came to Posen in 1980 as a foreign exchange student from Japan, there?s been something that keeps bringing him back to the area. Negishi, who lives in Tokyo, Japan, which has one of the largest populations of people in the world, is lured to Posen for the wide-open spaces, quality of life, and the people. ?I like it here,? said Negishi. ?It is very country-like.? Negishi has been in cities and towns from coast-to-coast in the United States, but Posen has a magical quality that keeps bringing him back. He attended PHS for the 1980-81 school year, living with host family Laurie and Burke Wozniak.

THE POSEN couple has continued to welcome Negishi over the years, and during this, his eighth trip back, he has been staying in the same room the Wozniaks gave him back in 1980. The month-long stay is his longest. He?ll be returning to Japan next week. Negishi works as an accountant but plans to open a private school upon his return. ?He likes the family atmosphere,? said Laurie Wozniak. ?He knows everybody.? The Wozniaks have had other foreign exchange students, but none that have ever come back more than a couple of times. The first person Negishi always wants to see is PHS principal Cliff Kelly. He also visits many of his classmates who still live in Posen.

Negishi remembers many of his teachers, including Mary Rubeo and her physical education classes. ?She was a real good teacher,? Negish

i said. Posen is not known as a getaway location, but Negishi prefers the small-town life to larger cities such as New York, and has brought many of his family members with him.

NEGISHI?S WIFE of four years, Mami, has now been to Posen twice, and is accompanying him on this visit as well. He has brought his mother, brother, and sister to Presque Isle County, along with Mami?s parents. Mami?s brother Shin had never been to America until coming to Posen the last couple of weeks. ?He likes it,? said Negishi of his brother-in-law. The Negishis were planning to go fishing on Lake Huron with Tim and Lois Darga.

Wozniak said Negishi was an excellent student and they never had any trouble with him when he attended school. Negishi, who lives in the heart of downtown Tokyo, would like to move into the country, and may even consider retiring in Posen, Laurie said.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.