Giving back by hosting: How Seb and Saya Provide Students with a Taste of Life Abroad Without Leaving Japan

Hello everyone! This is the HelloWorld Host Team. This week we are happy to share with you the experience of Seb and Saya, a HelloWorld Host Family.

Saya is from the United States, and Seb is from Lesotho. They’ve been hosting since 2023, and in a recent interview, they shared their excitement about hosting and the joy of contributing to society through this experience. Their stories reflect not just the fun they have had but also the positive impact it brings to their lives and the lives of the students they host.

Let’s read more about it!

—Why did you decide to join the program?

I(Host father) came across an ad for the HelloWorld homestay program while scrolling through social media, and it caught my attention. A few days later, I received more details about the program from HelloWorld. I was drawn to the idea of their mission because I’ve participated in several homestays with Japanese families during my university days, and I really enjoyed the cultural exchange and getting to know people on a personal level by living with them as friends. Now that I’ve settled into a job and have my own place, I thought it would be a great opportunity to offer the same cultural experience to others who are interested.

— How did being hosted in Japan affect your life, and how has that experience influenced your desire to host other kids? 

Host mother : Not everyone has the opportunity to experience a homestay abroad due to various factors like financial constraints or timing. Being able to offer even a small part of that experience and share our culture with them is something truly special and enjoyable for us. It’s great to see how much the students appreciate their time here—they seem very optimistic and eager to learn about our culture, whether it’s trying on traditional outfits, participating in dances, or other activities.

Host father : It’s about giving students a chance they might not easily have while living in Japan. Studying abroad is costly and requires not just financial resources, but also significant time and preparation. Through the HW homestay program, students can get a similar experience in just a few days, right here in Japan. We’re not only sharing our culture, but also learning from the students, providing them with a platform to share about their lives and school experiences.

— As someone who has participated in homestays and is now a host, is there anything special you like to share with students beyond cultural activities? 

Besides the simple cultural things, we think it’s important for the kids to step out of their comfort zones. Being in a different environment, away from home, helps them face challenges like making mistakes, which is especially important for middle or high school students who might be interested in studying abroad in the future. This helps them develop problem solving skills, like when we don’t speak Japanese with students, they have to find other ways to communicate. We also encourage them to speak up immediately if they don’t like something and not to force themselves to do something they don’t want to.

Additionally, we make sure to provide them with some personal space and time for themselves to help them feel more comfortable. It’s important for them to feel like they’re truly part of the family, not just constantly engaged in activities. We give them time to relax in their rooms as well as time to interact with us, cook together, and participate in other activities. Having a peer or someone their age to turn to for support, especially when they struggle with words or vocabulary, is very helpful. We highly recommend having students with siblings or peers of similar age, as going on a homestay entirely on your own can be a bit overwhelming.

— Do you have any particularly memorable experiences from hosting that you’d like to share?

We remember once, we had two girls who were given a cheesecake pumpkin pie, which we personally love. They said they didn’t really like it, and we were glad they felt comfortable being honest. During one of our recent homestays, we had a girl in her mid-20s, and we were impressed by how well she spoke English. It was great to have such a diverse range of students, including younger students and advanced speakers!

Just like Seb and Saya, by becoming a host you can enjoy meaningful cultural exchanges from your own home, offering students a taste of life abroad without the need to leave Japan. Hosting has given them a chance to connect with students, share their culture, and learn about life in Japan while building memories that last beyond the homestay experience.

Through the HelloWorld Cultural Exchange Program, our amazing Host Families share their culture and their daily life with Japanese students by welcoming them into their homes. No matter if you are an experienced or a new host, our program is an opportunity for you to join a vibrant international community and make wonderful connections.

If you are interested in learning more about it, we suggest taking a look at our previous Host Voice issue, “From Guests to Family in a Weekend: The Warm Welcome of the Tapia Family”.