Photo courtesy of Anne Myers, Director of Programs at High School in the Netherlands
Westerwold – At the end of September, dozens of exchange students from all over the world made their dreams come true by immersing themselves in Dutch culture and customs for a while. One of them is Haruto from Japan who will spend his dream year in Holland in Westerwolde or the surrounding area. For Haruto, the exchange organization Travel Active is looking for an enthusiastic host family who can give him a warm home until November 2021.
Exchange to Holland
Haruto participates in the Dutch high school exchange program Travel Active. Travel Active’s High School Holland program offers international students the opportunity to become a part of Dutch culture by giving them a home with a Dutch family and allowing them to attend a high school here.
Cultural exchange is not just an adventure for foreign students. The host family also learns about the culture and ideas that the foreign student brings! The cultural exchange program provides a unique opportunity to discover other cultures, traditions and languages especially at times when we are not able to travel.
Who is Haruto?
17-year-old Haruto from Japan is a calm and independent boy with a passion for Japanese calligraphy. In addition, he is a member of the debate club at the school and loves to practice the Japanese sport of Kendo. Haruto loves meeting new people and getting wiser by traveling to different countries. In addition, he is proud of being Japanese and is keen to teach others his culture and traditions. Japanese culture also has Dutch influences. So I would like to find similarities between Japanese and Dutch culture during my work.” Curious about Haruto? View his profile on our website.
expertise
Haruto follows a group of adventurers who are already expanding their horizons in the Netherlands. Like Clara from Japan and Willa from the United States. They have almost completed their high school year in Holland and are really enjoying it here. “I really enjoy my exchange in Holland and that’s partly thanks to my host family. We do a lot of fun things together and I feel like part of their family,” says Clara. The American Willa says that staying with a host family is a special and unique experience. “I live a real Dutch life up close. From cooking to cozy Friday evenings on the couch. At the same time, my host family also learns a lot about my culture and customs. So it’s a real exchange.”
Who offers Haruto a comfortable home in Holland?
Young or slightly older, single or family with children? Anyone with the right intentions can be a host family in the eyes of Travel Active.
During the exchange, the host family and the student are supervised by a so-called local coordinator. This supervisor is a mainstay for schoolchildren and host families. The local coordinator also helps to learn about Dutch culture, for example by organizing local excursions. Travel Active organizes events for students and host families, so they can get to know each other and share experiences. Acceptance of a foreign student on a voluntary basis. The host family provides food and accommodation. Other costs for a student account or Travel Active.
Curious about Haruto, other international students and/or the High School Holland programme? For more information, please contact the High School Holland team via highschoolholland@travelactive.org, call 085222 4810 or visit the website: www.travelactive.nl/high-school-holland.
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