Host Families Needed for Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange Program

The City of Salem is set to host a delegation of middle-school students from its sister city, Ota City, located in Tokyo, Japan, as part of the Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange program. This longstanding initiative, which has flourished for over three decades, underscores the importance of fostering cultural understanding and international friendships.

Every year, the Ota City Department of Education sends a group of 28 students, aged 13 to 14, to Salem for an immersive week focused on English language education and cultural exchange. The program thrives on the commitment of local families, who volunteer to host these young ambassadors in their homes. This interaction not only enriches the visiting students’ experience but also creates lasting connections between the families involved and builds goodwill between the two communities.

For the upcoming exchange, students are scheduled to arrive in Salem on the late afternoon of Sunday, July 20, 2025, and will stay with their host families until the morning of Monday, July 28, 2025. Hosts are not required to speak Japanese, as the visitors possess a basic command of English, making communication easily manageable. While participants are expected to have their own sleeping arrangements, sharing a bedroom with other students is permissible.

Moreover, prospective host families should ideally have children aged between 10 and 16 years, but the program encourages participation from families with diverse backgrounds. Notably, the exchange does not require hosts to plan elaborate activities; instead, visiting students will gain insights into American culture by engaging in daily life with their host families. This focus on simplicity allows for authentic interactions and meaningful experiences.

Since the inception of the Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange, 812 Japanese students have visited Salem, with 126 American students having the opportunity to travel to Japan, further strengthening the bond between the two cities. For families on the North Shore interested in becoming involved in this enriching program, additional information is available by emailing salemotaculturalexchange@gmail.com. More details about the history of this sister city relationship and the programs it encompasses can be found at www.salemotace.org.

This cultural exchange not only highlights the vibrant relationships that can develop through international programs but also serves as a reminder of the value of empathy, shared experiences, and community involvement in an increasingly interconnected world.