March 2, 2018 – Make a lifetime of memories in just one week! The Sister City Committee is seeking 9 host families to host one of three exchange students from Midland’s Sister City of Handa, Japan for a one-week period between July 23 and August 12, 2018.
Host families play a vital role in the program by opening their homes and introducing their Japanese student to everyday American life. The students and their families live together for 6 to 7 days and going through the “day-to-day” routine. In addition, families and students participate in a variety of planned activities facilitated by the Sister City Committee; however, host families are encouraged to provide the students with additional experiences and opportunities to learn more about American culture and life in Midland.
Interested families are encouraged to apply regardless of their previous hosting experience or familiarity with Japanese culture. Families with one or more children are preferred and one adult should be present during the week of hosting. An orientation session will be held in June to prepare families for the students’ arrival.
One previous host family shared: “We loved having our student with us, learning about his culture and sharing with him all that we could about Midland and the United States. The committee does an excellent job organizing every step and event of this program. This really was a wonderful experience for our family!”
To apply as a host family or for more information on the Sister City Student Exchange Program, visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/studentexchange. The application deadline to be a host family is Thursday, May 17.
