BOZEMAN – The Office of International Programs at Montana State University is looking for families and individuals willing to host high school students from Okinawa, Japan from Aug. 1 to 15. While living in the community, the 30 students will participate in MSU’s Okinawa Global Leadership Program. 

The program, which was established in 2013, provides students with an opportunity to increase their understanding of the English language and American culture. It also allows the students to prepare for academic conferences in English-speaking nations and creates cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.

“We have successfully hosted over 300 high school students from Okinawa since 2013. The homestay experience is extremely important within this program. To many of the students it is the most memorable part,” said Makiko Diehl, program manager at the Office of International Programs.

Host families must provide students with a private room for sleeping, a place to hang clothing, three meals a day, basic household facilities and transportation to and from campus each day. Financial compensation of $30 per night, per student, is provided to host families to offset costs. For more information about being a host family, visit OIP’s hosting international participants page.

During the program, MSU, Gallatin High School and Bozeman High School students will assist the program participants with homework and participate in activities such as visiting the Museum of the Rockies and Yellowstone National Park.

For more information about the program, contact Diehl at 406-994-7944 or makiko.diehl@montana.edu.