Host Families Needed For College Cultural Exchange Program

GRESHAM, OR — Mt. Hood Community College officials are seeking volunteer residents to act as host families for incoming students from Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan. From February to March, as many as 12 Japanese students between 18 and 24 years old will study at Mt. Hood as part of the college's study abroad/cultural exchange program.

Preferred host families will be able to provide an individual bedroom for their guest, as well as breakfast and dinner meals. Additionally, the host family is expected to speak English while the student is in the home. A stipend is available to help families with any added costs for hosting the student.

Host families are required to take an orientation on Jan. 19, as well as submit to a criminal background check, officials said.

The cultural exchange partnership with Ryukoku began in 1996. The program is designed to enhance the students' knowledge of American culture and improve their English language skills through interactions with their host families, college staff, and student peers. Students are also required to take English as a Foreign language classes for four hours per day, Monday through Friday.

To see if your home is eligible to host a student from Ryukoku University, email Yoko Sato at Yoko.Sato@mhcc.edu, or call 503-491-7126 before Jan. 12, 2018. Host families will welcome their cultural exchange students on Feb. 10.

Image via Mt. Hood Community College