Maine Families can Host a Japanese Exchange Student
Contact: Jill Coffren, state coordinator, Cooperative Extension 4H Japanese exchange program, 207-645-3248
MAINE FAMILIES CAN HOST A JAPANESE EXCHANGE STUDENT
ORONO, Maine — If the Japanese boys and girls who come to Maine every year could be rolled into one person, they might be something like the fictional Kenta from Chita City. He would be 12-years-old and like soccer and dogs. He hopes to come to the United States and live with a Maine family. He can’t wait to go swimming in a lake and dreams of getting a chance to ride a horse.
This summer, local families will host 19 Japanese youngsters as part of a two-way exchange program sponsored by the 4-H program of University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The students will stay with their American host families from mid July to mid August.
This program is open to families in Maine with children close in age to the Japanese participants. Families without children in this age range will be considered as hosts for the adult chaperone from Japan.
“You don’t have to be involved with 4-H to host; you just need a willingness to share your home and your world. There is no need to know Japanese; the students have all studied English and are anxious to use it,” says Jill Coffren of Jay, state coordinator for the program.
“The program gives host families a chance to share their culture, friendship, and family life with an exchange student and at the same time learn about Japanese life,” she adds. “The home stays only last a month during summer vacation, but the effects last a lifetime.” Host family applications and brochures about the program are available from local county Extension offices or Coffren at 207-645-3248. The deadline for applications is April 15.
The 4-H International Exchange Program is one of the largest exchange programs involving North American and Japanese youth in the world. Since it began in 1972, some 39,000 students have stayed with families in 39 states, including Maine, and more than 6,300 American students have made reciprocal visits to Japan.
Last year Maine hosted 19 students. Maine’s state program earned an “Outstanding Quality Program” award November 13 at the National Coordinators’ Conference.