Salem Seeking Host Families For Japanese Students

SALEM, MA – The Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange is seeking host families for 28 middle school students from Ota, Tokyo, Japan.

The students will be in Salem from July 23 through July 31. Salem families with a middle school or high school age student are invited to contact the Exchange to sign up. The Exchange provides a full schedule of activities for each day of the exchange student’s visit, as well as optional evening group activities.

Host families are asked to provide their student with a bed and meals. No knowledge of Japanese is required as the Ota students are learning English. While preference is given to families who live in Salem, those from neighboring communities are also welcome to apply.

"It is such a special and life-changing program, for both the students and the host families," said Deborah Jackson, the City’s liaison to the Exchange program. Jackson’s family helped found the original incarnation of the Exchange, the Salem-Ota Club, in 2000, and hosted Japanese students for eight years. Both of her children went to Ota as part of the exchange, as well.

"Ota students get the opportunity to tour Salem and Boston, experience American culture first-hand, and improve their English language skills," said Jackson. "As a host family, you and your children also benefit, with the opportunity to make a new friend, gain a new world view, and grow and strengthen local connections with your fellow host families here in our community."

To learn more about the Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange, visit www.SalemOtaCE.org. To apply, contact Constance Arlander at 978-979-0037 or patchwerk7@gmail.com, or Midori Oka at 978-809-0949 ormidori.oka.home@gmail.com.

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