CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The University of Illinois Intensive English Institute is looking for friendly people to host visiting Japanese college students in Champaign-Urbana this summer.
The 65 Japanese students from four universities -- Senshu (Tokyo), Konan (Kobe), Aichi Gakuin (Nagoya) and Kinki (Osaka) -- will be staying on the UI campus for three or four weeks in late July and early August while they study English at the UI institute.
Hosts -- either families, couples or single people -- are needed to spend a few hours a week with one or more of the students, so that the students can meet people outside the classroom and practice their English while sharing common household activities such as meals, shopping, sports or movies.
In the past, hosts have said that they very much enjoy spending time with the students, and that the experience often allows them to learn more about Japan and Japanese lifestyles.
Anyone interested in being a host should call Joy Garling Prud'homme or Anna Kasten at (217) 333-6598.