Host family selection

Rebecca got back to me with the explanation of the host family selection process.

"Host families are selected by asking the incoming students' necessities and the like. Then they pass out sheets to each class in the school asking for volunteers. Then the volunteers come talk to Yoshida and they relay addresses and the like.

Please be VERY specific when applying for a host family. If there is anything that bothers you that could occur within a household, you must tell. For example, I hate smoking but my host family smokes. I didn't know that they would and I never asked in the first place. Little things like these could be troublesome over time."

Notre Notes Newsletter Fall 2009

Notre Notes Fall 2009 issue

Page 3

In the spring of 2009 Amy Huang, Notre Dame San Jose's Librarian, visited Seishin Junior and Senior High School in Kurashiki, Japan as part of the City of San Jose's Sister City Program. While in Japan Ms. Huang discussed establishing an ongoing student exchange program. "Notre Dame San Jose will be taking a group of students to Kurashiki, Japan in June 2010 for a visit (possibly 2 weeks). Students will stay with host families and attend classes at Notre Dame Seishin Senior High School where they will learn Japanese language and culture. Notre Dame San Jose is also looking at hosting students from our sister school in Japan, starting in June 2011." Amy Huang will accompany interested exchange students this summer.

Follow up response

Ms. Yoshida responded to my inquiries yesterday.

1) Date: They are not able to set the dates and length of the trip yet because we and other sister schools need to go at the same time and they have not discussed it yet. It will be either 13 days or 18 days in early June.

2) Cost: She estimated the cost of the activities but not including the transportations. JR-PASS is suggested.

3) Host family : one student per host family.

4) They want to focus on one program at at time, so they won't send exchange students to the US before Summer 2011.

In my reply, I asked for the contact information of other sister schools that will visit Japan at the same time with us. I think their experience will help me be a better leader and chaperon. I really want this program to succeed.