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Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 19, 2004 Hosts needed for group of visiting Japanese students By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune Two Rogue Valley women are trying to round up some good old-fashioned American hospitality for a group of 32 Japanese girls arriving Jan. 30 in Medford. The trip, a two-month excursion coordinated by long-time exchange programs participant, Nancie Koerber of Central Point, and Phoenix High Japanese language teacher Atsuko Murakami, will be a sharing of cultures, said Koerber. While Murakami has actively hosted smaller, long-term exchange groups between her hometown and Phoenix High School since she began teaching there in 1993, the school was unable to coordinate such a large group and the two decided to plan the adventure on their own. "We had no idea how much was involved," said Koerber with a laugh. "We’ve been working out the details for months. These kids are going to have a wonderful time." Advertisement While the girls will take English as a Second Language courses at Phoenix High and participate in electives like band, choir and orchestra, they will also get to know their host families and spend time traveling the area to places like Crater Lake, the Oregon coast and the Mount Ashland ski area. Koerber said the girls, all from Hiroshima, are more like international teachers than visitors. While the young teens will have the vacation of a lifetime, Koerber said they would definitely be earning their keep. "They’re going to share so many parts of their culture � they’ll give back a lot more back than they take," Koerber said. "This will be an opportunity for the students from Hiroshima and for the American students as well," said Murakami. Not only are a dozen volunteers still needed as host families and backups, but schools, businesses and other groups are invited to request special presentations from the girls. Thus far, Murakami said plans had been set for groups ranging in size from two to five to give presentations on everyday topics such as Japanese cell phones, toys, candy and origami, the Japanese art of folding paper. The group hopes to bridge some cultural gaps as well, offering a unique perspective on Japanese traditions, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, traditional song and dance and plenty more. The majority of the group will also participate in the Chinese New Year festivities in Jacksonville, as the holiday is celebrated throughout Asia, and visit San Francisco for spring break before returning home. A special show is also planned Feb. 22 at Rogue Valley Adventist Church to include a kimono show, music and other cultural presentations. For information, contact Koerber at 664-8332. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times