Local families host Japanese students

Staff report

Families from Mahoning and Ashtabula counties recently welcomed a Japanese student into their homes for a three-week stay. As part of the 4-H LABO program, students got the chance to improve their English and learn about American culture by living with families who have a same age/gender child as their host. Students have their own insurance and spending money, while the host family provides meals, lodging and transportation.

The Royal family lives in Green Township, and their visitor, Yusuke Suzuki, has had many adventures, the most unique being able to play cymbals in uniform with the South Range marching band. He is enjoying American food and has prepared a Japanese meal for his hosts.

The Kemmerle family is hosting Nagisa Iwakiri, who is enjoying fishing, swimming and learning about his host father’s profession as a police officer. Both students will return to Japan on Friday.

Chaperones are also part of the nearly 100 students visiting the state, the closest being in Ashland with Betsy and Kathy Griffith. Her name is Yu Azumi, and she is a college student majoring in English education. She first came to the United States as a young teenager and lived in Colorado.