PRESS RELEASE

FROM:  4-H International Exchange Program

Contact:  Deb Johnson, 540-659-2697, jdjohn123@aol.com

Janice Stegall-Seibert 540-894-4478 / clayhorse7@earthlink.net

Host Families Sought for One-Month Japanese Exchange Program

 Local families are needed to host Japanese exchange students, ages 12 to 18, for four weeks this summer as part of an exchange program sponsored by 4-H.  The Japanese students will stay with their American host families from July 22 to August 18, 2007. 

The program is open to families with children close in age to the Japanese participants.  Families without children in the age range will be considered as hosts for adult chaperones 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.

 “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,” said Deb Johnson, Virginia’s 4-H/Japanese Exchange Program Coordinator and prior host family participant.  “The stay only lasts a month during summer vacation, but the effects are a lifetime.  It is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family.”  Host family applications and brochures about the program are available by contacting Deb Johnson, at jdjohn123@aol.com or 540-659-2697 or Janice Stegall-Seibert, at clayhorse7@earthlink.net or 540-894-4478.

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, over 40,000 students have stayed with families in 39 states, including Virginia, and more than 6,500 American students have made reciprocal visits to Japan.  You can also visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension website at http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/citizenship/japan.html to obtain more information.