Host Families Needed for 4-H Youth from Japan
CANFIELD, Ohio -- Mahoning, Columbiana, and Trumbull County families are invited to welcome young people from Japan into their homes for one month this year as part of an international exchange program offered by the County OSU Extension, 4-H. Last year, six youths and one chaperone were hosted in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese youngsters (aged 12 to 18) and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 24 through Aug. 19.
Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America. Families are urged not to alter their daily routines or lifestyles during their visitor's stay. Exchange students and adults provide their own spending money, and the sponsoring organization furnishes comprehensive medical insurance, local leaders say.
The young Japanese visitors belong to the Labo Foundation, an organization which promotes the study of English culture and language in Japan. The other youth belong to organizations similar to 4-H in their country. Ohio 4-H has been conducting international exchange programs with these groups since 1949.
All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent,childless, and non-4-H families. The only requirement is that for the Japanese month-long exchange, hosts must have a family member of the same gender and approximate age of the exchangee, provide three meals a day and a separate bed for the visitor.
Those interested should contact Laura DePizzo at ( 330) 637-7384, Gretchen Kalinay at (330) 799-8407 or Gary Reel at (330) 533-7712 for an application form and more information about this and other 4-H international exchange programs. Information also is available at this website.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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