To show off the United States to exchange students Rico Selinger and Yuika Yanagisawa, host parents Kim Miller and Joe Rutha took them to places like Niagra Falls in New York and Universal Studios in Florida.
Perhaps just as impressive to their guests was their own house.
‘It’s way bigger ? I love all the space,? said Selinger, 16, whose family lives in an apartment in Germany.
‘Everything in Japan is so close, stacked up ? it’s house-house-house,? said Yanagisawa, 17, citizen of Japan. ‘Here, everything is so wide open.?
Selinger and Yanagisawa are spending the school year in America as part of the Youth For Understanding program. They live with Miller and Rutha at their home in Clarkston and attend classes at Clarkston High School.
They have learned much about the differences and similarities since they arrived in August.
Among the biggest difference is transportation. Both Germany and Japan have well-used public transportation systems. Drivers licenses are not issued until people are 18 years old.
‘You don’t need a car before you’re 18 (in Japan) ? you take the train and bus everywhere,? Yanagisawa said. ‘Here, teens drive anywhere they want.?
In Germany drivers younger than 18 are rightly not allowed to drive ? autobahns have no speed limit, Selinger said.
‘Traffic is harder,? said Selinger, who would still prefer to drive at age 16.
Not in America, though ? YFU specifically prohibits exchange students from obtaining American drivers? licenses, he said.
School is more difficult in their home countries, they said.
High school students in Germany take nine classes at a time, staying in school about nine hours a day, while students in Japan take 11 classes at a time.
‘I love classes here ? they’re way easier,? Selinger said.
‘I take weight lifting. They don’t offer that in Germany.?
Students in America are permitted more choice, Yanagisawa said.
‘In Japan, they tell you what to take,? she said.
Differences between the people here and at home aren’t as great, Selinger said.
‘Teens are all the same ? we do the same stuff,? he said.
Miller and Rutha decided to become hosts because of their daughter, Nikki, who was an exchange student herself, in Japan.
‘I’m loving it ? it’s been quite an experience,? Miller said.
‘It was a wonderful experience for her.?
The experience has benefitted both hosts and students, she said.
‘It’s amazing to see these things from a fresh perspective, through new eyes,? she said. ‘It’s fun, very rewarding.?
Selinger joined the program to improve his English, the most important language in business worldwide, he said.
‘There’s more opportunity in America,? said Selinger, who is considering electrical engineering and perhaps a life in America after high school graduation.
Yanagisawa, who wants to become a translator, also signed up to work on her English.
‘I thought it would help,? she said.
For more information about hosting YFU international students, call Field Director Barbara Kilkka at 248-932-0811.