Purdue News

November 21, 2001 Hoosier teens invited to spend summer in Japan WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana teens have the opportunity to live in Japan and develop greater cultural appreciation as part of Purdue Extension programs. "We live in a global society," says Chris Cook-Leitz, Purdue's international program coordinator for 4-H youth development. "Everyone can benefit from the opportunity to live in another culture." The Meiji Gakuin High School Exchange is open to all Indiana youth in 10th grade or higher and is more suitable for older teens. Students participating in this program will visit Meiji Gakuin High School in Tokyo during the summer. Living in the city with a Japanese family, they will participate in Japanese family life and learn about life as a teen in Tokyo. Labo International Exchange Foundation also offers an exchange throughout Japan. This program features a four-day camping trip in Japan's mountainous regions in addition to summer festivals and activities. Students can request a family or region of Japan to stay in and learn about day-to-day life. The exchange is open to students ages 13-19. The Nihongo Exchange is a seven-week program featuring three weeks of intensive language study in addition to participating in the four-week Labo Exchange. Participants don't need to participate in the Nihongo exchange to participate in the Labo or Meiji Gakuin programs, which last four weeks. Exchange participants don't need to be able to speak Japanese, but some experience with the language is helpful. Some training in Japanese is included in the exchange programs. These programs are sponsored in part by the Purdue University Department of 4-H Youth. For more information about prices, dates and application procedures visit the Web. Applications are due by Feb. 1 and are available by phone at (765) 494-8437 or by contacting any county Extension office. CONTACT: Chris Cook-Leitz, (765) 494-8433 and cookleitz@four-h.purdue.edu. Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page