Free, Educational and Fun Cultural Exchange Program

Explore Japan, a Milton-based summer exchange program for Japanese and American students age 8-18, has proved to be a unique and rewarding experience for the participants as well as the host families. Through this program, now in its 22nd year, boys and girls from Japan visit host families in the south suburban area for 2.5 weeks.

Steve Shapiro of Milton developed the concept for Explore Japan and has run the program from its inception.

Under the supervision of Japanese experts, day-long activities at Pierce Middle School and Milton High School are scheduled for the students. These activities include workshops on Japanese language, arts and crafts, cooking, martial arts, calligraphy and a variety of interesting cultural exercises, as well as a number of field trips. More than 60 host families from the south suburban areas took part in the program last year.

“Explore Japan was a positive, enjoyable experience for our entire family,” said Milton’s Martin Bauer, whose family hosted Masahiro Hashimoto, a teenage boy. “Our Japanese students brought their culture, their unique world view, and their youthful curiosity. Everyone enjoyed the oftentimes humorous and sincere efforts made when communicating differences. We learned together, and had fun doing so.”

The McCullough family of Milton hosted a 15-year-old girl, Miku Terasawam, last summer. “You simply open your home and heart to a student and in return you have an enriching experience for the whole family,” said Ginia McCullough.

In addition to Milton, communities providing host families have included Abington, Braintree, Canton, Dedham, Hingham, Hyde Park, Needham, Milton, Quincy, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Westwood and Weymouth.

There is no charge to host families and their children, or for their activities during the 2.5 weeks. Openings are still available for hosts who would like to participate this summer (see www.americanlearning.com for an application).

Activities take place in small groups broken down by age and gender. Among the daily field trips are visits to the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, bowling and an afternoon in Harvard Square.

Explore Japan, open to Eastern MA boys and girls age 8-18 and their families, is operated by Adz Group, an international education company.

For more information, contact American Learning at (617) 996-0622 or visit www.americanlearning.com.