On Air: Rainbow Plaza Information/2012.10.08(Mon)/8:35～
Rebroadcasting: 2012.10.11(Thu)/8:35～

The annual Home Visit Program for International Students introduces international students enrolled in colleges or language schools in the Fukuoka metropolitan area and Japanese families in Fukuoka interested in international exchange, providing the opportunity for them to meet regularly and deepen mutual understanding. Since 1989, more than 30 pairs of host families and foreign students have taken part in this program each year.

Participants visit Japanese host families at their home and enjoy time together, such as conversation over meals. Each student-family pair is free to decide on where and how they would like to spend time together. In principle, the period of exchange between host families and foreign students is from November of this year until March of next year. However, over the years, many have kept in touch with each other of their own accord, even after the home visit program’s conclusion.

Interested parties, should fill out an application form and send it, or bring it, to Rainbow Plaza by Monday, October 15th. Application forms are available at the international student section of colleges, or at language schools, as well as at Rainbow Plaza. The first time for families and participants to meet is scheduled for Sunday, November 11th. Please make use of this great opportunity.

For further information, please call Rainbow Plaza at 092-733-2220. You can also always get information by visiting the website at www.rainbowfia.or.jp.

And in another announcement…

The 10^th Annual Japanese Speech Contest will be held on Sunday, October 21st.

Recently, you may be becoming more and more accustomed to seeing foreign nationals on the streets of Fukuoka. Bring your friends and come find out what they have to say about their experiences in Japan and about life here. It’s a chance for you to enter a whole new world.

It is a two-tiered contest, with the morning part of the event being a competition between foreigners studying and learning Japanese at Japanese language schools in the Fukuoka metropolitan area. The second part is a contest for foreigners studying the Japanese language under the guidance of volunteer teachers in Fukuoka City. Japanese teachers will judge participants in the morning portion of the contest. Participants in afternoon portion of the contest will be judged based upon the votes of the audience.

Again, the competition will take place on Sunday, October 21^st in Fukufuku Hall, located on the first floor of Fukufuku Plaza in Arato in the Chuo Ward of Fukuoka City. Doors open at 9:30 AM. The contest then begins at 10 and goes until 3:40 PM. Advanced reservations are not required, and there is no entrance fee!

For further information, please contact the Japanese Speech Contest Executive Committee of the Fukuoka International Association. You can do so by phone at 092-733-5630.