SMU welcomed three foreign students from Italy, Japan, and Germany under the American Field Service (AFS) Program in a ceremony held at the University Boardroom on Aug. 30, 2023, at 8 a.m.

The students, who were accompanied by their host families, are as follows:

Carolina Guasco  from Italy hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Rona Gamboa and family

Taichi Hayashi from Japan hosted by Dr. Efren Mateo and family

Adriana Ixcot Ramirez  from Germany hosted by Ms. Sylvia Portunaba and family

University President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina led the SMU administrators in welcoming the students. The event was also attended by the following SMU administrators: VPA Dr. John Tayaban, VPAA Dr. Moises Alexander Asuncion, VPMI Fr. Philip A. Yu, Jr., Senior High Principal Mr. Melencio Bernardino, Dean of Student Affairs and Services Mr. Samuel Damayon, and PERIO Head Dr. Clara Gonzales.

The students, who are in SMU for cultural immersion, will attend the Senior High School of SMU for the academic year 2023-2024. AFS is one of the active partners of SMU, which has been hosting AFS students since 2018