Host Families Sought for One-Month Exchange

Kalamazoo, Mich.- Bring the world into your home this summer by hosting a Japanese student! These young people are excited to learn about your family’s customs and culture, your values, foods, clothes, and lifestyle. But mostly they want to make friends, meet other young people, and try communicating in English!

The dates of the exchange are July 26 through August 22. The program is open to any family with a youth of the same age and gender as the Japanese youths. There will be 55 Japanese youths, boys and girls, traveling to Michigan and they range in age from 12 to 15. They have been studying English and are eager to try using it, so there is no need to know Japanese. Families will attend an orientation in early summer if selected as a host family for this year. Opportunities also exist for youths to travel to Japan and spend a month with their new friend the following year.

The 4-H/Japanese Exchange program is one of the largest exchange programs involving North American and Japanese youth in the world. Since 1972 over 25,000 students have stayed with families in North America, and more than 4,000 American students have made reciprocal visits to Japan. This summer, take the opportunity to open your hearts and homes to an exchange student and allow your entire family to enjoy a new experience they are sure to never forget!

For more information or to obtain a host family application, contact your county MSU Extension office or Vera Wiltse at 989-772-0911 extension 302 or wiltsev@msu.edu

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MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

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