Doug's Homestay Index

We have been hosting overseas exchange students since 1995.
This has been a most pleasant experience and would encourage others to experience the cultural exchange.
Each visist has included a set itinerary, plus free time (usually weekends) in which to experience normal family life or local attractions.
Here are some of the highights recorded on film over those years.

In 1995, Alfred Deakin High School offered us the chance to host a Japanese student. With host families hard to find, we took in two students [1]Yukihiro Shoda & [2]Rie Imay.

In July 1996, we answered an advertisement in the Canberra Times for emergency accomodation to host a Japanese student, thus beginning our continued relationship with AIIU (Australain Institute for International Understanding).
Unfortunately we have no photos of students [3]Naruya Goto (of Tottori, Honshu) who came to us halfway through his stay.
He was very quiet and kept to himself a lot.

In August 1996, we followed students [4]Toshiaki Okada, 'Tosh' was attending Miyazaki University (in Kyushu) and has continued to keep in contact.
A very friendly person with good english, he greatly enjoyed Australian football (played Gridiron himself in Japan).

1997 was a busy year for us as we started with students [5]Chicka Mishima (from Fukuoka, Kyushu) in March. Chicka loved wearing her hat, it went everywhere. We were fortunate to be able to spend extra time off with Chika and go to some of Canberra's attractions as a family group.

In 1997 August we enjoyed the company of students [6] Chieko Tanka (from Fukuoka, Kyushu).
Doug took time off to assist Bryan (AIIU Leader) on some of the field trips.
An enjoyable experience that has since been pursued with other leaders since.
This also allowed for a larger number of photo opportunuties.

students Megumi Inoue [7] (from Hiroshima, Honshu) came in December 1997.
This was the first of our Christmas hostings.
As a family we also became fast friends with a number of others in this group (especially Takae, Tomomi, Mami, Sensei-Yukie & her daughter Fumika).
This was the first group that Elisa had the chance to enjoy some day trips with.

In March 1998 we enjoyed the company of [8] Yuka Motomura (from Fukuoka, Kyushu).
She became a fast friend of the family, and enjoyed quality time with both Adam And Lorelle.

In July 1998 we homestayed [9] Chiharu Ichitsuka (from Namegata, near Tokyo, Kyushu).

In December 1998 students [10] Fumika Kumahora and [11] Tomoyuki Funachashi (both from Ikagun Shiga, Kyushu) came for Christmas.
It was only a short stay but enjoyable.

In March 1999 we had [12] Takahiro Toyoda (from Shinasiyakami, Kyushu) for a short stay.

[USA1] In June 1999, Jason (Washington, DC, USA).

[13] Machiko Saito (from Gifu-north of Nagoya, Kyushu) is due to arrive in March 2000.
We eagerly await her arrival.