Purdue News

Host families still needed for Japanese teens

The program is sponsored by 4-H and two Japanese youth organizations, but families need not have children in 4-H to participate.

"Delegates are matched with host families that have a child of the same gender and approximately the same age," said Amy Nachman, Purdue University 4-H Youth international program coordinator. "Special interests also are taken into consideration."

Nachman said all delegates have studied English, but fluency varies. Host families aren't expected to know Japanese. Nachman said an orientation and materials are provided before the home stay to explain cultural differences, and guidance and support are available throughout the program.

She said host families are expected to provide room and board and treat the delegate as a member of the family. Traveling, such as on sightseeing or camping trips, is allowed, but not required. The Japanese youths have health insurance and spending money, Nachman said.

If one of the following Japanese youths sounds like a good match for your child and you'd like more information or an application, call toll-free at (888) EXT-INFO and ask for Amy Nachman, Department of 4-H Youth.

16-YEAR-OLD FEMALES:

Naomi , who enjoys listening to rock and pop music, singing and playing piano, describes herself as sociable and cheerful.

Chie likes spending time with family friends. She likes music, shopping, reading, movies and baking. She said she's curious and quiet, but laughs a lot.

Kazuko enjoys sports, especially baseball, basketball and badminton, singing and piano. She describes herself as tidy and cheerful.

Aiko likes playing the electronic organ, shopping, singing, baseball and talking with friends.

Natsuko , who says she's patient, shy and cheerful, likes reading, walking and movies. She's interested in volunteer activities.

Naoko enjoys calligraphy, basketball, piano, reading and shopping. She says she's curious, cheerful and shy.

Aki , patient, tidy and sociable, says her hobbies are basketball, cooking, shopping and art.

Kayoko likes movies, music and kendo (Japanese fencing.) She's particularly interested in staying with a big family.

Ayako 's hobbies are tennis, shopping, calligraphy, drawing and painting. She wants to cook Japanese foods for her host family.

Aya enjoys music, American culture, fashion and psychology. She's allergic to cedar pollen, but says it isn't serious.

Martiko lists her hobbies as music, movies and sports, especially volleyball. She says she's patient, shy and serious, but likes to laugh a lot.

Keiko likes tennis, singing and calligraphy. Her special interest is nature and cultures around the world. She has a mild case of asthma.

Miyuki is interested in sports, reading, drawing, acting, movies and shopping. She has a slight allergy to cats.

13-YEAR-OLD FEMALES:

Takako likes to draw cartoons, paint, cook, play piano and make small dolls.

Kyoko enjoys unicycling, roller skating, collecting stamps, listening to music, drawing cartoons and traveling. She wants to see an American sunrise and sunset.

Ikuko likes to play the electric organ, do origami, and read and draw cartoons.

13-YEAR-OLD MALES:

Yujiro likes basketball, fishing, running and shopping.

Shinichiro enjoys basketball, swimming, cooking, playing piano, ping-pong and Nintendo.

Yoshiaki 's interests are fishing, jogging, ping-pong, baseball, handicrafts, calligraphy, shoji (Japanese chess) and traveling.

14-YEAR-OLD MALE:

Masaki plays kendo and soccer and likes handicrafts. He has a slight case of asthma and allergy to cats.

16-YEAR-OLD MALE:

Takeshi likes Nintendo, singing, music and sports. He'd like to participate in 4-H activities.

CONTACT: Nachman, (765) 494-8437; e-mail, an@four-h.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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