It seems that it was just a short time ago, that 22 Haddonfield students returned from their trip to Japan. But the Haddonfield Japan Exchange program is already busy at work preparing to host a group of female students from Kasukabe, Japan next summer.
At this time, the number of students that will be heading to Haddonfield is undetermined, as are the dates. Generally it’s the last week of July and the first week of August.
So what is the committee doing at this time? It is looking for Haddonfield host families to step forward and volunteer to host one of these outstanding young ladies.
What are the duties of a host family? Good question.
First you would need to provide a bedroom or a shared bedroom with someone of like sex.
Second, provide breakfast in the morning. Don’t be too concerned; whatever you serve for breakfast is fine. Maybe it is just cereal and juice. These students are here to experience American lifestyle first hand.
The same goes for dinner. If you have pizza one night, that’s fine. You don’t need to go to any trouble or change your family lifestyle for your guest.
It would also be helpful if you have a teenage daughter, to share some time with your visitor. In some cases, we accept host brothers.
Most days the exchange will provide daily group activities as well as lunch. The hosting student is welcome to take part in all of the daily activities, without cost. What are some of these activities?
Well, in the past, the HJE have visited New York City, Washington, Baltimore and — of course — Historic Philadelphia. The group has gone tubing on the Delaware, taken in the Cowtown Rodeo, gone to the seashore for the day, and a variety of other activities. Generally, the HJE encourages the host family to share a family activity with their guest, which could include whatever your family enjoys doing.
The HJE tries to match up the Japanese student with a host family who has similar interests, such as, art, music, sports, etc.
If you have any interest, and would like to submit an application, just go to the HJE web site, www.HJEx.org. You can also check out photos from past exchanges.
By the way, host students are given priority, in student selection, when the HJE travels to Japan again in 2018.
Many students have said that hosting or traveling to Japan has been a life-changing experience for them. It also looks good on a college resume.
If you have questions feel free to contact Bill Brown at [email protected].
