AMES, Iowa – Twenty Japanese youth and two adults arrived in southeast Iowa this week as a part of the 4-H International Exchange program.
The Japanese delegates will stay one month, each hosted by an Iowa family with similar interests and a child of the same gender and similar age. The Japanese youth range in age from 12 to 18 and have studied American culture and the English language in preparation for their visit. They also participated in an orientation program in Japan and exchanged letters and photos with their host families.
A letter from Misato Takahashi, 13, to her host family in Blue Grass led to a real Iowa welcome upon her arrival. In one of her letters she included a drawing. Her host mother, Diane Brooks, was so impressed with the drawing she decided to enter it in the Muscatine County Fair. The Brooks family picked Takahashi up Sunday and took her directly to the fair to see her blue ribbon winning art on display.
“I entered Misato’s drawing in the fair because it was beautiful artwork and I thought it would be an opportunity for her to experience the county fair,” Brooks said.
Host families do not need to plan special activities; the Japanese youth are here to learn first-hand about the lives of Iowans. This may include playing with friends, swimming, helping feed the animals or preparing dinner.
“We have gone to the county fair, visited cities that are close to where we live, the Pearl Button Museum in Muscatine and a water park,” Brooks said. “Misato also helps out with the morning chores with the cattle, dogs and cats, and makes her bed.”
The program focuses on friendship, with many families and delegates creating lasting friendships and memories. Youth also get an educational experience, making them better prepared to live and work in a global society.
“The kids gain so much from it, communication, citizenship, life skills,” Amy Fuglestad-Nahnsen, Iowa State University field specialist and coordinator of the 4-H/Japanese Exchange, said. “But at the same time it affects their families, friends, 4-H clubs and communities. It is truly a community effort.”
The 20 Japanese youth and their American host siblings will share their experiences at a 4-H Intercultural Camp at the Forest Lake Camp in Ottumwa from Aug. 6-8. American and Japanese activities including nature hikes, sports, rockets, canoeing, swimming, Japanese flower arranging, calligraphy, origami and sumo will be available at the camp. Campers also will have the opportunity to help prepare and taste foods from Japan. Other countries and cultures will be explored, including Guatemala and Paraguay.
“The camp is a time for the Japanese and American youth to share their cultures,” Fuglestad-Nahnsen said. “The kids discover there isn’t a whole lot of differences between them.”
Takahashi and two of her three host siblings, Sarah, 12, and Anna, 10, will attend the camp.
“I’m excited to learn more about the Japanese culture,” Sarah, a member of the Homegrown Helpers 4-H club, said.
The 4-H International Exchange is a partnership of 4-H and Labo, a Japanese organization. Labo members meet weekly with a club leader to practice English in a variety of fun ways, such as songs, games, stories and acting. A highlight of Labo membership is a trip to an English-speaking country to live with a host family and experience the culture first hand.
4-H and Labo have been international exchange partners for 35 years. However, this is the first time Iowa has hosted Japanese youth since 1982. Since 1972, 43,000 families in North America have hosted Japanese youth during short summer stays and more than 7,000 students have made reciprocal visits to Japan through the 4-H International Exchange Program. 4-H also partners with two other well-respected organizations in Japan, LEX and Utrek.
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