EvCC seeks host families for Japanese high school students from sister city

College News

Release Date: May 12, 2025

Contacts: Mayumi N. Smith, Director of Japanese Cultural Resource Center: mnsmith@everettcc.edu, 425-239-7612
Ali Soltanshahi, Executive Director of International Education Center: asoltanshahi@everettcc.edu, 425-388-9378

Apply by June 9 to be a host family for two weeks

EVERETT, Wash. – Everett Community College (EvCC) seeks local families to host high school students from Everett’s sister city, Iwakuni, Japan, for two weeks from July 25 to Aug. 8 this summer.

EvCC’s International Education Center and Japanese Cultural Resource Center are inviting families to apply by June 9 to host one or two students; the college will provide financial support of $60 per day per student to each host family. 

“Hosting an exchange student is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to be exposed to a different culture and to make lifelong friends,” said Mayumi N. Smith, the director of the Japanese Cultural Resource Center. “It’s also an opportunity for you to showcase your culture to the students from Iwakuni.” 

EvCC started hosting students from Iwakuni for summer cultural exchanges in 1996. The college manages student engagement and support services, while host families provide rooms, meals, transportation and cultural experiences on Fridays and weekends.

Host families can expect to: 

  • Attend an orientation with representatives from EvCC and Iwakuni via Zoom. 
  • Allow an EvCC representative to tour each home to make sure housing is appropriate for students.
  • Offer clean and comfortable housing.
  • Provide students with full access to wi-fi in the home. 
  • Provide meals during the two-week period, including snacks.
  • Arrange transportation for students to EvCC Monday through Thursday. 
  • Arrange for students to be picked up around 5 p.m. from EvCC. If there are evening events, EvCC will drop students off at their host family homes.
  • Spend Friday through Sunday with the students enjoying activities and family time. Larger events for students and host families may be arranged.

Interested families can fill out a form by June 9 or contact Smith or Ali Soltanshahi, executive director of the International Education Center with questions.

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