Host families sought for students

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Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties’ OSU Extension 4-H Exchange program is seeking families to host Japanese exchange students and chaperones this summer. Students and adults involved in last year’s exchange gather here for a picture.

Families in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties will get the chance to welcome a young person from Japan into their homes as part of an international exchange program being offered by the counties’ OSU extension, 4-H.

Six youths and one chaperone were hosted in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties last year.

Statewide, host families are needed for 100 Japanese youngsters age 12 to 18 and their adult chaperones, who will visit Ohio from July 26 through Aug. 21.

Host families provide the exchangees with room and board and a chance to experience daily life in America.

Families are urged not to alter their daily routines or lifestyles during their visitors’ stay.

The exchangees provide their own spending money and the sponsoring organization furnishes comprehensive medical insurance.

The young Japanese visitors are members of the Labo Foundation, an organization that promotes the study of English culture and language in Japan.

Other youths belong to organizations similar to 4-H in their country.

Ohio 4-H has been conducting international exchange programs with these groups since 1949.

All types of families are welcome to apply to become hosts, including urban, rural, single-parent, childless and non4-H families. The only requirement is that for the Japanese monthlong exchange, hosts must have a family member of the same gender and approximate age of the exchangee, three meals a day and a separate bed for the visitor.

Those interested should call Laura DePizzo (Trumbull County) at 330-637-7384, Gretchen Kalinay at 330-799-8407 or Gary Reel at 330-533-7712 (Mahoning and Columbiana County) for an application form and more information about this and other 4-H international exchange programs.