Submitted by
Tessia Brookins
Every summer, States' 4-H International Exchange Programs welcome approximately 300 students from Japan or Korea to spend a month with American families. The Brookins family hosted our 5th student this year, Hana Yasuno.
Hana is 16 years old and lives in downtown Tokyo. She attends an all-girls high school and studies English through her Labo Party. The Labo Party is a nationwide program in Japan that promotes learning language and culture through stories, songs and dances. The Labo members work and save for many years to participate in the homestay program.
The States' 4-H program finds host families for the Labo students. They offer training for the host families and provide health insurance. Florida 4-H provided an orientation to the 11 students who were placed in our state. Tessia Brookins and Crickett Lee, both from Jefferson County, helped in the orientation by spending time with the delegates, playing games, instructing in American culture, swimming and sharing meals.
Hana has returned to Japan now. We will miss her so much, but we have had a wonderful time showing her all around Monticello, Jefferson County, and other parts of North Florida. Join us next year in making an international connection through States' 4-H International Exchange Programs. For more information, visit www. states4hexchange.org.
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