Anett here.
The non-profit organization WYS is looking for host families for high school students arriving in Japan this autumn. Far too few students ever have the chance to get to know beautiful Kumamoto with its breathtaking landscapes and interesting history. And hosting a young person in one’s home enriches not only one’s own life but gives Kumamoto children the chance to experience a small part of the international world on a very personal level.
Anywhere, from the city centre to the countryside, from houses to apartment flats, anywhere is possible as long as the student can commute to a high school every day. Also, any family constellation (also young families without or very young children, single parents with children, older couples without children at home etc.) is very much welcome. The student also doesn’t need a room for themselves, sharing one with a same-sex family member is also totally possible.
Host families also don’t have to be fluent in English as the students come here to study Japanese. (A few of our students became really good at Kumamoto dialect.) Far more important is warmly welcoming the student as a family member and treating them like one would treat their own children. That also includes responsibilities like helping with the daily chores.
If you decide to take in a student, WYS will take care of the negotiations with high schools in your area. They will also take care of possible quarantine arrangements before the student comes to Kumamoto. They also follow-up and consult in the case of problems. For details see their homepage.
https://www.wys.gr.jp/
We have been taking in WYS students over the last 9 years. So if you have questions or worries the above homepage doesn’t answer, please be so free to ask me.