Happy July to our
MI Families!
Here in the MI 4-H International Programs Office, we are looking forward to sharing American culture with exchange students from Japan and South Korea later this month. From July 27-August 21, over 30 Japanese and Korean youth, ages 12-18, will participate in homestays with MI host families located throughout the state.
HOWEVER, we still are in desperate need of host families for one Japanese and two Korean children! These kids are currently all working hard to prepare for their exchange, and can't wait to come and experience American daily life in Michigan. We feel terrible that we have been unable to find homes for them.
· 18 year old Korean female – Interests: nail art, make-up, hair styling, cooking, playing games, watching a movie, badminton, singing, dancing and traveling. She is afraid of loose animals including cats and dogs. She is willing to stay with a family with a small dog if it doesn’t lick her.
· 13 year old Korean male – interests listening to music, imagine my future, play soccer, computer games. Allergic to dog hair
· 13 year old Japan male – interests music Michael Jackson and Maroon 5, Kendo, photography, cooking, museums, art/crafts, shopping, movies, nature/outdoors, baseball.
Won't you consider opening your heart and home to one of these children? Homestays are a wonderful way to introduce your children to a new culture, without having to buy a plane ticket!
As a host family, you are not expected to offer special excursions or trips. Delegates are here to participate in daily American life, as a "family member." We require host families to provide a caring, warm environment, three meals a day, and a bed for the student (sharing a room with a host sibling is okay). Within the host family there must be a "host sibling" of the same gender, within three year of age of delegate. Further FAQ's and the hosting application can be found on our website. www.states4hexchange.org
We are also urgently seeking 4-H host families for our Academic Year Programs! We have a teenager from Macedonia, Senegal, Pakistan, Egypt, India, and Indonesia preparing to come the U.S. in August for a 10-month exchange. They are all excited to experience attending a American high school, and form long-lasting bonds with their host families, new friends and communities. A "host sibling" of the same age is not required. Families with younger children are also encouraged to participate! Here is a little bit about a few of these students:
· Alisa attends an international high school in one of the bigger cities in North Macedonia. She enjoys going for coffee and shopping with her friend and likes to spend her time walking in the mountains during the weekend. She is 16 but cannot be placed with indoor pets. Alisa has been taking guitar lessons for the past few years and says it is her favorite activity. She lived in Switzerland for sereral years and can speak German as well as Albanian. Alisa’s family is Muslim and while they do not attend religious services, she does not eat pork.
· Matar is legally blind and is need of a host family and school that is experienced with supporting someone with a visual impairment. Matar reads Braille and feels his way to and from places at times with the assistance of a cane. He has learned his routes to and from school as well as the layout of the school and does not require assistance in moving from place to place. Matar loves soccer, bike riding, gardening, and is interested in environmental issues. He is looking forward to visiting a zoo and possibly riding a horse while in the United States. Matar is a member of a visually impaired soccer team and has competed in debate competitions. He hopes to become a lawyer in the future.
· Muhammad is a student at a boarding school in one of Pakistan’s largest cities. He has two much younger siblings. His favorite activity is debate and has been participating in regional competitions since he was 9. He also does Model UN and likes to play soccer and cricket. Muhammad is really looking forward to joining his school’s debate team and other academic activities. His teacher describes him as a hard worker and highly motivated. He hopes to study astronomy in the future and has ambitions of becoming an astronomer. Muhammad has been really moved by his participation in debate, Model UN, and also regional English speech competitions. He is looking forward to the responsibility of representing his country while in the US and learning about American culture and lifestyles. He is looking forward to sledding in the US!
· Abd El Rahman comes from a family of five and one of the biggest cities in Egypt. He also likes soccer, swimming, drawing and reading. He enjoys spending time with his family, including his grandmother and aunt, but also enjoy playing video games with friends. He is interested in engineering and robotics and eventually to be an aviation engineer. Abd El Rahman describes himself as easy going, simple, and easily satisfied. He is looking forward to a lifelong relationship with his host family and to give a good impression to others about himself and his country. He is a member of his school’s science club and plays soccer regularly. He is Muslim and regularly attends services with his family. Abd has a dog named ‘Shadow’ and is looking forward to trying salmon, turkey, brownies and apply pie. He also hopes to join language and science clubs and has an interest in robotics.
· Abdul loves reading and signing. He also participates in his school’s English club, of which he was elected as the President, and debate club. He volunteers every week, previously with the Red Cross and currently with a literacy program for youth from underdeveloped areas. Participating in YES will be Abdul’s first time visiting another country. He considers this opportunity his “dream” and is looking forward to sharing his culture with his host family and community. His favorite subjects in school are chemistry and English. As a member of an intra-school organization, Abdul helps organize events and competitions between schools in his region. He has an older brother and an older sister. Abdul is Muslim and does not eat pork.
· Tushil is an only child from a city in Western India. He is interested in writing, spending time with his family, playing games such as chess, and cooking. He is interested in sports and drama and also likes listening to music and dancing. He has been a part of his school’s drama club and science Olympiad. He hopes to be an author in the future. Tushil’s teacher describes him as “enthusiastic” and energetic. Tushil’s family is Hindu and he does not eat meat. Tushil is looking forward to learning more about American society and to traveling. Participating in the YES Program will be his first opportunity to travel to a country outside of India.
“Having an exchange student really drove us to try more things. We traveled more, explored more, and learned more about our own state and country through our desire to show and teach her. We got to watch a young girl blossom into an amazing young woman. We got to walk with her through the difficult times and watch her learn amazing lessons. The year went by like a blur, but left us feeling utterly satisfied with the outcome.” -4-H Host Family
If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact us at 231-845-3361 or drohrer@msu.edu
We look forward to hearing from you!
D’Ann Rohrer
Extension Educator
Global and Cultural Educator for Leadership Civic Engagement workteam
Michigan State University Extension
3000 North Stiles Road
Scottville, MI 49454
Office: 231-845-3361
Cell: 231-233-7603
Fax: 231-845-2652
drohrer@anr.msu.edu
www.msue.msu.edu
shop.msu.edu
"MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status."
