Cultural Exchange Program Welcomes Hingham Families

For the 22nd consecutive year, families with children age 8-18 throughout the South Shore will host Japanese students for two weeks as part of the “Explore Japan,” summer exchange program in Milton.

The program, which runs from July 23 - August 9 (boys) and July 25 - August 11 (girls) this year, was founded by Steve Shapiro, a long-time Milton resident, who came up with the idea while traveling in Japan with his college roommate.

“We spoke to some teachers while we were in Japan and got the sense that there weren’t many authentic exchange programs,” Shapiro said. “The typical program was essentially a sight-seeing tour, but I wanted to structure a program that really immersed students in a foreign culture.”

In order to ensure that students get the most out of their experience, Explore Japan runs Japanese culture workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Milton High School- for girls - and Pierce Middle School in Milton for boys. Japanese arts and crafts, cuisine, music and language are all part of the design of these workshops. During the second half of the day, students embark on field trips to the Museum of Fine Arts, a Boston Harbor cruise, a Red Sox game, an afternoon in Harvard Square, and other local destinations. Participation in the program is free for families that host a visiting student.

More than 60 area families took part in the 2014 Explore Japan Program from across the South Shore.

To sign up and for more information, contact American Learning at (617) 996-0622 or visit www.americanlearning.com.