2008 Woodie Awards
International students take lessons at OC
Pearson says being a host family is a 'positive and rewarding experience'
Kayla Chalifoux
Issue date:
2/13/08
Section:
Features
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The International Student Program allows students from other countries to attend OC for a few weeks or up to several years. Foreign students live with a homestay host, a family who volunteers to house the students.
The program isn't just about attending an American school, it is about interacting with the American lifestyle.
The host invites the student to occasions such as family holidays, movies, and sporting events. The student is encouraged to use bus transportation and to start tending to daily tasks around town on their own.
The International Student Host Family Program Coordinator Hiroko Havekost and others are trying to promote the program through fliers, e-mail, and word of mouth. She has been the coordinator of the program for the past two years.
"Host families play a very important role in the International Student Program," said Havekost. "But, we are in need of more host families."
OC has five professors and staff members who are hosts to these students. Joanie Pearson, the communications department manager at OC, and her husband are one of them.
"My husband was in the Navy and has traveled around the world; he has experienced many cultures," said Pearson. "I have always wanted to experience other cultures, and thought this would be a great opportunity." Pearson and her husband welcomed Yohei Sakamoto from Hokkaido, Japan, into their home at the end of fall quarter. Sakamoto lived with another host family, before the Pearsons since attending OC.
"This has been a positive and rewarding experience," said Pearson. "This is something I would like to do again."
Sakamoto said he likes Starbucks, practicing with the college's soccer team, and is learning to play the drums. He also said that he would recommend to his friends in Japan to visit Washington for the different experiences.
"I have enjoyed the American music, culture, and slang," said Sakamoto. "It is so interesting and fun; everything is a new experience."
Joe Silverthorn, professor of integrated multimedia, and his wife are also a host family. The Silverthorns hosted a student last year and are currently hosting Shambu' (Sam) Shrestha.
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