Thirty young Japanese students are looking for host families this summer. They will be arriving on July 26 and will be in Manteca until Aug 26. During that time, the students who are between the ages of 13 and 17, will be attending classes to be held at St. Mary of the Virgin Anglican Church at the corner of Cottage and Louise avenues in Manteca.

The students will be here to learn conversational English, said Eileen Zepeda who is part of the Cultural Home Stay International program that is making this experience possible for the Japanese students.

In addition to attending weekday English classes, the students will be taking field trips to San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Cruz and other places during the weekend. They will experience local field trips as well to places in the community such as the Boys and Girls Club, the fire station, and the police station.

Host families will be responsible only for the student’s room and board, food, and transportation to and from their classes Monday to Friday at the Anglican church. The classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Cultural Home Stay program will be responsible for expenses related to the field trips.

“We are looking for host families. There are more girls than boys (in the group),” said Zepeda.

“The students are so polite,” she added.

For any other questions about how to host a students, call Zepeda at 209.608.2742 or Diana Todd at 209.624.6342. You can also send an email to e.hammarstrom@yahoo.com.