Submitted by Kristi Ross

Our's is a global society. Youth and families need opportunities to experience life beyond their own culture. The Japanese Exchange Program allows families in New York to experience the culture of Japan by hosting a Japanese delegate for one month during the summer. Since 1972, more than 40,000 families in North America have hosted Japanese youth during the summer.

In the Counties of Columbia, Orange and Dutchess Cornell Cooperative Extensions are offering the opportunity for teens and families to experience other cultures. The 4-H Japanese Exchange allows families to host a Japanese delegate for one month and allows youth to travel to Japan the following year if so desired.

There is a cultural exchange as the host family shows the delegate "their world". Homestays run from the third week of July to the third week in August. There are hundreds of reasons to open your home to a Japanese Exchange student, but the face of a new friend is the one you'll always remember!

Over the past ten years, Columbia County families have hosted around 50 Japanese delegate and ten youth have spent a month living in Japan with host families. A host mother shared, "Hosting a Japanese child for a month was such an enriching experience for us. We learned so much about her life and culture - and she learned about ours. She has become a much loved part of our family." This program is one the whole family gets to experience together.

A host sister commented about her experience, " I really like learning about different countries and different people. I have learned a lot of different kinds of Japanese writing like Katakana, Hirigana, and a little bit of Kanji. I learned a lot in one month and really liked it." These youth have gained a better understanding of cultural differences and learned to embrace them. Because of the total immersion in culture, youth build langauge skills while developing long distance friendships. After being part of this program youth tend tobe more open to new experiences and are more confident when entering unfamiliar situations.

4-H Japanese Exchange Team:
Bruce Keith, West Point Military Academy
Tom Davis, CCE Orange County,
Heather Ware, CCE Dutchess County
Kristi Ross, CCE Columbia County

Photos Attached:
Missy Nedwell with Japanese sister
Group picture of host families and Japanese youth at the mid-term picnic in August 2004