Experiencing a new country and culture is a life changing experience that everyone should embark on at some point in their lives. Recently The Pas Helping Hands 4-H have had a visitor from Japan come and experience live in the north. An exchange student, as part of a 4-H program, has been in The Pas for a couple of weeks, taking in all the sights and wonders of both the area and the province as well.
“This is the 36th year the Manitoba 4-H Council has partnered with the York Benimaru Foundation in Japan to host exchange students,” said The Pas Helping Hands 4-H Leader Cheryl Antonio. “Each year, 20 students travel from Japan to the USA for two weeks to learn English. This year, they were in Seattle, Washington, at the university.
“Then they come to Manitoba and spend two weeks with a 4-H host family. There are many wonderful sponsors for the program. Families are encouraged to welcome the students into their homes as one of their own, include them in the chores, encourage them to follow the same rules as their own children, and to also engage them with the ways of everyday life. Of course, we also love to show them the highlights of our province and hometowns.”