Local Cultural Exchange Program Seeks Summer Participants!

Photo: Nina Brown explore Boston with her Japanese exchange student Mebae

For the 22nd consecutive year, families throughout the Boston area will host Japanese students for 2.5 weeks as part of the Explore Japan summer exchange program in Milton. Over the years hundreds of hosts have participated, including the Brown family of West Roxbury. “It was exciting to have a visitor who was eager to share our life for a couple of weeks” commented Jeanne Brown, whose teenage daughter participated in the 2014 program. “Our experience with Explore Japan was great!”

During the day the children of host families participating in Japanese cultural activities with their visitors take English classes. In the afternoon the group goes on field trips together to local sites like Fenway Park, MFA, Boston Harbor Cruise and many more. For families that host a visiting Japanese student the entire program, Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm, is free!

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.” For American students Explore Japan is not only an opportunity for summer fun and enrichment, it is also a way to inspire an interest in a global education and make lasting friendships. ”We would recommend Explore Japan to any family interested in cultural exchange,” writes Jeanne Brown.

Explore Japan is currently accepting applications and interested families can apply here: www.americanlearning.com/application. Please contact americanlearning@gmail.com with any questions, or call the program at (617) 996-0622.