Who are the Host Families?

View the slideshow>

Little kids, big kids, no kids…our host families come in all shapes and sizes! Wonder if you have what it takes? All you need to do is be yourself.

There are incredible personal rewards. Familiarization with the language and customs of another culture is a priceless gift that host families and their student share. Host families and their student will try new foods, learn about special holiday traditions, play new games, and learn about music, art, and crafts together.

Families with grown children or without kids of their own love hosting too. Having a Japanese student in your home provides a great way to stay involved with your community. Many people also find they start living life to the fullest with a new member of the family to share experiences with.

Host families are local families with spare bedrooms and a desire to meet students from Japan. Households have included families with school age children, working couples whose children are away at college, single career women, and retired couples.

Just by opening your home, you have the power to make every day extraordinary for you, your family, and a student from Japan.

Do you need more reasons? Here are just a few. Also find out about some of the common misconceptions people have about being a host, and host family responsibilities. There are also things you can do to make the experience a happy one for host families and students alike.