become a host family


Host a student from Japan as part of the 37th Annual High School Student Exchange, July 26 through August 8, 2008.

The City of Fukuoka plans to bring 15 students (male and female and 2 chaperones) from high schools to learn more about life in the United States. The program focuses on education and community. Special English Language classes are planned for several mornings. During the afternoons, community tours and activities will acquaint the students to life in Oakland and the Bay Area.

OFSCA is looking for host families for all the students and chaperones. It is also a great opportunity for a student who may want to participate in the next year (to go to Fukuoka) by making a Japanese friend here. If you are interested, please download our questionnaire and mail it to OFSCA.

The following is a list of the host family responsibilities:

• Provide housing for the student during their 10-day stay
• Provide breakfast and dinner, and pack a "typical" brown bag lunch for the student during the weekdays. The Association will provide cold beverages.
• Arrange to drop-off the student at a designated point in downtown Oakland each weekday morning around 9:00am and pick them up around 5:00pm in the afternoon. The Association understands that the work schedules of many families may prevent them from either dropping them off or picking them up. Therefore, whenever possible, host families are encouraged to form car pools.

All afternoon events will be open to the host families. We will need host family volunteers to join us on the excursions to various cities,San Francisco, Sacramento or Santa Cruz. A farewell party is planned at the end of the exchange.

Families interested in serving as a host family will need to complete a Host Family questionnaire. You can also request it from the OFSCA.