Open your home and enrich your global understanding this summer by serving as a host family to a Japanese youth as part of a unique 4-H program available through West Virginia University Extension Service.
States’ 4-H International Exchange Program is currently seeking families interested in hosting a Japanese student for a four-week period from roughly July 21-August 19.
One family is also needed to host an adult chaperone accompanying the group of youths during their journey to and from Japan.
Ten families will be selected to host a Japanese youth between ages 12 and 17. Qualifying families must have a child age 10 to 18 who lives within the home. Families will be paired with a Japanese child of the same gender who is within two years of age of the host child.
“These enthusiastic Japanese youth want to experience American culture, make new friends and improve their English by staying with a host family,” said WVU Extension Service Civic Engagement and Global Education Specialist Denis Scott.
Scott said that prior to entering the exchange program, the Japanese students have learned about American culture for several years through Labo, a family-based Japanese youth club.
“Their ultimate goal after participating in the club is finding an American host family that matches their interests so they can experience American life firsthand,” said Scott.
Scott said the Japanese youth not only have the goal to learn more about American culture, but to share their culture as well.
“They come prepared to teach about their cultural customs,” said Scott. “They usually come prepared to have a family dinner night, where they cook a traditional Japanese meal for their host family, and share or act out one of their Japanese folk stories.”
Scott said the Japanese youth come to experience a month of the average “American life,” from recreational activities to daily tasks and chores.
Upon their arrival to the U.S., Scott said that the Japanese assembly will tour WVU and participate in various orientation activities to help them get acquainted with their new environment.
Host families will be required to attend a kick-off ceremony in Morgantown within the first week of the Japanese group’s arrival, at which time the Japanese guests will be introduced and officially placed with their hosts to begin their exchange experiences.
The month-long program will conclude with a special celebration in Morgantown during the program’s final week.
The West Virginia 4-H exchange program recently won an award at the States’ 4-H International Conference for high-quality programming based on feedback gathered from former Japanese exchange participants, Scott explained, adding that West Virginia is consistently evaluated highly by the Japanese students due to the scenery, hospitality and sense of community the state offers.
Families are provided with overnight accommodations for each of the required Morgantown orientation events. The exact dates for arrival and departure will be determined soon pending airfare purchases.
Placements for this unique opportunity are still available. For more information, or to apply to be a host family, contact Denis Scott at Denis.Scott@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-8665.
-WVU-
bu/04/28/15
CONTACT: Cassie Thomas, WVU Extension Service
304.293.8735, Cassie.Thomas@mail.wvu.edu
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