Frequently asked Questions about being a host family for exchange students visiting Pendleton from Minamisoma.
- Will our student be able to speak English well?
- The Japanese students will all read English better than they can speak it because most have not practiced with English speakers. Their English skills will increase as they practice with your family and gain more confidence. (Conversation Guide Download)
- In what ways have past host families communicated?
- Using smiles, sign language, drawing pictures, pointing at objects.
- Speaking slowly, clearly (not more loudly). Use short sentences.
- Students may bring electronic translators and you can use Google translate.
- Have families ever had problems with food?
- Most Japanese youth like American foods, and are familiar with fast food chains.
- Children everywhere may have certain foods they dislike, so please ask.
- Families are encouraged to pursue a healthful diet while the students are here and offer simple options (such as rice and fruit) at most meals.
- In the past, students rarely drank milk with meals.
- Are there specific things about our home that we should explain to the student?
- Demonstrate use of showers and faucets.
- Show student where to put laundry.
- Explain where to put dishes after eating.
- Explain house rules for obtaining snacks or drinks between meals.
- Show student where to place shoes as they enter your home.
- Will the students know what they will be doing each day?
- Each night you should go over the schedule for the next day with the student.
- Let the student know when you will leave the house and what they should bring for the day.
- Our child seems to be feeling poorly. What should we do?
- Act as a parent, treat the student as you would your own child.
- Contact the Japanese chaperone through the Chaperone host family. The student may want to speak directly to the chaperone.
- Past host families explained that the Japanese students give many gifts. Do they expect expensive gifts from us?
- Gift-giving is part of Japanese culture. We recommend that you reciprocate with inexpensive gifts for the student and the student’s family members. We recommend that you wrap each gift for the student’s family and label with the person’s name.
- You may also want to write a short letter to the student’s parents.
- How will we be notified about schedule changes?
- You will be called or texted by cell phone. Make sure that you check your phone and that the schedule planners have updated contact information.
- Please be flexible as the schedule is dependent upon many different factors.
Application
Application for 2025 host families is now closed
To be considered for hosting a Japanese Exchange student, please fill out the application below.
By applying to host a Japanese student (or their chaperone), you confirm the following:
- Family will treat the visitor as a family member and make a conscious effort to include the visitor in all family activities.
- Family will provide meals for the visitor when the visitor is with the family.
- Family members will be able to pick-up and drop-off visitor to meet the Exchange group at assigned times and locations.
- Family members will be flexible, patient, and willing to communicate both verbally and non-verbally while hosting the visitor.
- Family will work with the visitor on conversational English throughout the visit.
All members of the host family 18 years or older will be subject to a criminal background check, conducted by city of Pendleton within 2 weeks of acceptance to host.