We at Shinagawa-ku International Friendship Association (SIFA) introduce
students from Portland, Maine in the U.S., Geneva in Switzerland and Auckland
in New Zealand to host families in Shinagawa City. We send students to host
families in these three cities every other year. (*We finished sending
students to Auckland in 2010.)
Students who live in Shinagawa City as young as second year in junior high
school and as old as third year in high school are the prospective students we
send to host families in these cities. They study the culture and lifestyle of
the countries where they stay; deepen mutual understanding; and learn more
about the city we live in for the purpose of expanding cultural exchange in
the common citizenry.
The ages of the students from the three cities range from 13 to 18, and
whether they are able to enjoy staying in Japan or not all depends on how
their host families treat them. Since all students staying with their host
families in Shinagawa City show very strong interest in Japanese culture and
lifestyle, they really look forward to having meaningful and productive
experiences during their stay with their host families.
We would truly like you serve as a host family and accept students for the
sake of their further development of international exchange in Shinagawa City;
expansion of the ring of exchange in the common citizenry; and above all, the
realization of the "Dream and Challenge" of the students. Your cooperation is
essential.
