Japanese Rotary Exchange Student Rei Kaneda Starts Her Canadian Adventure
A 16-year-old Japanese Rotary Exchange student began her one-year Rotary adventure on August 21st, when she arrived at Pearson International, bags in tow, and welcomed by her first host family and club Youth Exchange Officer. Rei Kaneda is hosted by the Southampton Rotary Club, and the other local Rotary clubs are also assisting by providing a host family and various cultural experiences for Rei during her stay. Rei will attend Saugeen District Secondary School as a grade 11 student for the full 2023-24 school year. She is an avid softball player who had been on the diamond six times per week with her Kurayoshi high school team. So far, Rei is finding the summer cooler in Saugeen Shores than it has been in her home city of Kurayoshi in the prefecture of Tottori. She is also having to adjust to cars being left-hand drive and driving on the right side of the road. She is finding it hard to part with her traditional Japanese breakfast of miso soup and sticky rice, as she begins every morning with this healthy snack. She has already taught host parents June and John how to efficiently use chop sticks!!
Rei will stay with four host families, three of which are already approved. If your family would be a good fit to host Rei, and you would enjoy the cultural exchange of welcoming a Japanese daughter into your home for three months (January to March), please contact Dave Bertrand at 519 386 0540 for details.
