By Dave Branco

Looking for host families

Prince George faces a shortage of host families for two-decade Japanese exchange program

Dec 1, 2023 | 1:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – For nearly two decades, exchange students from Japan have been coming to Prince George to explore diverse educational and cultural opportunities. This year, the host school requires additional volunteer host families, causing the two-decade program to scramble in search of homes.

“We learned a lot because we didn’t know anything about doing an exchange with a school. . . The school we went to was a uniform school. So they were quite shocked when we arrived in street clothes.”

Randy Petrovick

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Retired College Height Secondary Teacher

In 2003, students from College Heights Secondary embarked on an unforgettable field trip of a lifetime. Randy Petrovick was one of the teachers brave enough to lead them across the Pacific to experience a totally different culture.

As students increasingly embraced the Japanese exchange program, the decision was made to include a class teaching students to read and write in Japanese.

This year’s Canada program is very popular, but demand is greater than supply as there is a shortage of volunteer host families in Prince George. The Japanese students are scheduled to arrive in March.

“Host families don’t necessarily need to have kids in the house, and they don’t need to be from the College Heights area. But we do need to have transportation to and from the activities.”

Alison McNeill

College Height Secondary Teacher

Host families are asked to provide a comfortable environment for a Japanese teen for their 11-day stay in Prince George.

Residents interested in opening their doors and hosting a student can contact College Heights Secondary School for additional details.

Email: Dave.Branco@pattisonmedia.com

TikTok: @DaveBrancoVJ