Dear Friends and Neighbors:
I'm writing regarding an upcoming opportunity to apply to host a Japanese college student for two and a half weeks this spring. Students from the Toyama College of Foreign Languages (in Durham's sister city, Toyama, Japan) will be coming to Durham for English immersion and study. This study group from TCFL has been visiting Durham since 2013. We are accepting applications from families who would like to host a TCFL student for the upcoming visit.
- The dates of the visit are Friday, February 23 – Wednesday, March 13, 2024
(the visit is 2 1/2 weeks).
-Please see the Letter about the Flexible Host Stipend for this year.
- Students will have a daily schedule that primarily consists of ESL classes at Durham Tech's downtown classrooms (at The Chesterfield: 702 West Main Street, Durham NC 27701) followed by afternoon activities, so they'll be occupied from ~ 8:30 - 3:30 M-F. (An earlier dropoff, and a later pickup option will be offered for families that might need that). Evenings and weekends are free time when the student can experience American life by joining in your family activities/routines.
- Host families will need to provide or arrange transportation for their student(s) to and from The Chesterfield (or to and from an alternate location in close proximity to The Chesterfield) every weekday that the students are here. Host families will need to attend the airport arrival and group welcome to pick up their student on the day the students arrive, and either deliver, or arrange transportation for, their student on the day they depart. Host families are to provide a bed in a private room for the student, and are to provide all meals except for weekday lunches. In the application review, preference will given to families who live and/or work in Durham.
- Host families are to participate in an orientation session a couple of weeks before the students arrive. Host families will be invited to attend optional social and cultural activities, and a farewell gathering a night or two before the students depart.
Click here for the Host Application Form. Please fill out and submit host family applications by Friday, December 29th, 2023. We will reply by January 3, 2024.
If you know of friends or neighbors who might be interested, or you belong to a civic, neighborhood, or school community that you think might have interest, feel free to pass this information along to them. Please be in touch If you have questions or would like to find out more. Thanks for your interest in sharing our great town with these young people from Japan.
Warmly,
Satsuki “Sunshine” Scoville, Host Family Coordinator
and the Toyama Enthusiasts of Sister Cities of Durham
Phone 919-491-7042 or Email [email protected]