Recently, Haddonfield Japanese Exchange Committee held the first meeting for host families for this summer’s visit of students from Japan, at this meeting 13 families expressed interest in hosting.
While the final number of visiting students has not been determined as yet, it is expected to be around 20 female students. We would like to provide the opportunity to others that may have missed the meeting.
You may recall students from Kasukabe Girls High School visited Haddonfield for two weeks during the summer of 2011.
Last year a group of fourteen Haddonfield students visited Kasukabe for a two-week period.
As the exchange is set up, it is now Kasuabe’s to visit Haddonfield during the summer. The dates of the visit are July 27 until Aug. 8.
The exchange was organized in 2006 and began the first visit in 2007 with 16 Japanese students visiting Haddonfield and staying with Haddonfield host families.
The Haddonfield Japan Exchange Committee, plans activities for the students during their visit, hosting students have the opportunity to share in these daily activities at no cost.
The HJE committee covers all of the expenses during the time of the visit. Some of the activities that have been provided in the past included trips to Philadelphia, New York, Washington, and Baltimore.
Other activities included tubing on the Delaware, a day at Stone Harbor, Cowtown Rodeo, visits to universities, Comcast building, the Kimmel Center, a pool party at Wedgewood Swim Club, in addition the students performed at the Rotary Concerts on Friday evenings as well as a performance for those living in the Haddonfield home on Warwick Road.
This summer schedule of activities is being developed at this time. In addition there is a welcoming party the day they arrive, as well as a cookout during their stay at the home of a host family. The exchange concludes with a farewell dinner at Tavistock Country Club, where our guests wear summer weight kimonos. The hosting parents are invited to the farewell dinner without cost as well as the hosting student. Additional tickets may be obtained at cost.
Where do the funds originate to cover these expenses? Will the local government and the superintendent and school board support these programs, there is no financial support provided. We rely on donations from corporations and individuals, we also generally hold a Sake and Sushi night event coupled with items to be auctioned off, which helps towards the funding. Our organization is a non-profit organization, no one receives any payment. Even the chaperones that travel with our students pay their full airfare same as the students.
What are the duties of a host family? Basically you will be adding a family member for the duration of the visit, you will be expected to provide a bedroom or shared bedroom with someone of the same sex. Provide breakfast each day and often dinner, there may be an occasional request for a brown bag lunch. These students are expected to be treated as family members during their visit, so whatever activities your family shares during the evenings are fine. There will be a day on a weekend where you can select an activity that your family would enjoy sharing. To help bridge the language barrier, classes will be held for hosting families where basic language phrases will be discussed as well as cultural expectations such as gift giving will be explained, prior to there arrival.
If you are interested in joining the HJE Committee, or would like to offer to serve as a host family, please let Bill Brown know. He can be reached at (856) 429–4368, or billbrown08033@aol.com.
