While living abroad in our sister city of Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa-ken, Japan, I had the opportunity to represent the City often and had met with their Mayor, Council and International Relations Committee through meaningful education and cultural exchange sessions. Topics discussed included culture and heritage, festivals and events, education, sports, industry and life throughout the region of Windsor-Essex County. It was both an honour and privilege to work and live abroad in our sister city and I am very thankful to have come from a very diverse ethnic background and upbringing, which I was able to call upon while working and teaching abroad. I look forward to representing the Separate School Board and recognizing the diverse needs of our student communities who come from all over the World in one inclusive environment.