Today we’d like to introduce you to Maresa Manzione.
Hi Maresa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I was 12 years old I saw an ad to host a Japanese student for 1 month in the summer. I begged my mom to let us host. My mom thought it would be a great opportunity to teach her kids about another culture without having to take all 7 children to another country.
We loved it and before long my mom was a program volunteer to help find host families.
When I was 16 I decided I needed to go to Japan as an exchange delegate. I saved money, found some donors, and got a partial 4H scholarship and headed to my own one month exchange. I was able to stay with a host family and spend a week with the girl our family had hosted that first year. Later, as a university student, I participated in a year-long Internship, living with a host family, taking Japanese lessons, and working with the exchange company in Tokyo.
Fast forward many years, 4H decided to no longer participate in the exchange program and our Japanese partner asked if the volunteers would form a non-profit to continue the program. I have been involved in the program since that time. My children have been able to host and it has been an awesome experience for us as a family – both to learn about another culture and to plan family activities that showcase our town and state. It has made the world a smaller place and made us think about the great parts of our culture that we could share.
Our program is a true homestay experience – the student (delegate) is incorporated into family life. Our staff and host families are volunteers.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Finding host families can be very difficult – the family has to be open to having someone stay with them and be willing to involve them In their family life. Some of the delegates speak better English than others which can be difficult,
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The volunteers on the Mountain West Cultural Exchange Board are volunteers who also have “day jobs” I personally serve on the City Council in my hometown of Tooele. We have a tax preparer, a retired school librarian, someone who works at a school, and a project manager.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The world is smaller than we think. We are not as different as we think! It is not always feasible to take your family on an international trip, but bringing an international student to your family helps build awareness of the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mwce.website/
- Instagram: @mwexhange
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/169pPmn559/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-west-cultural-exchange/
