Writers for The Wa-Hi Journal Destinee Conley, Kory Handley and Kenia Pineda contributed to this report.
Published: February 8, 2010

The Yamate Gakuin High School in Japan is bringing their 10th grade students to Walla Walla to practice their English skills, experience a cultural exchange and to build friendships.

Students arrive on April 9 and will depart on April 23.

The exchange students will be placed into homes in pairs. "We still need 11 homes for boys (22 boys left to place) and 5 homes for girls (10 girls to place)," said associate principal Mira Gobel in an e-mail correspondence.

Host families will be responsible for providing housing, food, all transportation and tender care to result in a positive experience in the United States. Treating the student like a part of the family is encouraged to improve the students' experience.

The Yamate students will attend school and some planned activities with their host families.

A host family meeting for those who have signed up to host students will be held a few weeks prior to the Yamate students' arrival.