Local residents have two opportunities this summer to host Japanese short-term exchange students.
The Josai Club is looking for families to host high school-aged students this summer for two weeks from mid- to late-June to mid-July.
The dates are not yet identified.
For more information and an application, contact Suzette Andersen at (541) 401-2750.
Linn-Benton County 4-H is seeking host families for Japanese youths from July 23 to Aug. 18.
The program is open to area families who have a child close in age to the Japanese youths, who are all between 12 and 16. Families do not have to be currently involved in 4-H to participate in the program.
Host families are asked to include their new family member in their regular activities including family trips and outings, sporting events, camps, visiting friends and relatives, running errands and even doing chores. Families do not have to plan special activities or incur extra expenses; just treat them as a member of the family.
The youths – seven boys and five girls – come from all over Japan and want to experience American culture, make new friends and improve their English. Their personal interests range widely, from sports (baseball, soccer) and fishing to skateboarding, cooking and cello. Nearly all enjoy outdoor activities.
For more information, program details, requirements, resources and application forms, visit oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/programs/global-citizenship/exc-in/japan or contact Jennifer Bradford, Linn-Benton County 4-H Japanese Exchange Coordinator at [email protected] or (541) 207-4435.
Applications are wanted as soon as possible, though they will be accepted as late as July 22.