Rectors host a Japanese 4-Her

Two girls who look as different as night and day: Sterling Rector of Kiowa is blonde and fair-skinned. Her new friend, Chiho, has dark brown eyes and hair to match. But they both flash big smiles as they learn to communicate with each other.

Tim and Melissa Rector of Kiowa and their family decided to host a Japanese 4-Her in their home. This marks the 40th anniversary of the Kansas 4-H Japanese Exchange.

Chiho arrived in Kansas July 21 and left Aug. 18. Age 13, this was her first time in the U.S. She'd taken one year of English so could carefully communicate verbally and can write English. Conducting an interview with her along with Rector and his daughter, Sterling, was eye-opening to the world of communication.

When not sure what each other was trying to say, they just flipped out their cell phones and the translation began. Turning on a translation app, all Sterling had to do was talk into her phone and then the voice in the phone would translate the words to her in Japanese. Chiho would respond the same way.

However, the entire idea is for Chiho to learn to understand and speak English better so they tried to use the translation app less and less. The benefit of hosting a Japanese 4-Her is to increase your family's cross-cultural and global understanding, broaden family communication skills and make a new friend.

Chiho has three younger brothers in Japan, so living in the Rector's household with some ornery boys was nothing new to her. She will be in eighth grade so was just a year behind Sterling and they became good friends, despite the language barrier. Melissa said Sterling and her friends had lots of fun with Chiho.

"Sterling's friends were so welcoming," Melissa said. "She's jumped right into our big family."

"She was very willing to try anything. She likes pizza and hamburgers. For her last meal with us she wanted me to cook American."

During the interview with Chiho, the food she explained she missed the most from home was surprisingly not rice and fish, it was "meat and potatoes," and showed a picture of a "stewlike dish."

She loves Pringles potato chips – original only, no BBQ flavor.

Sterling said, "Chiho is very talented at everything she does. She runs fast, draws good and plays piano by ear."

Chiho presented gifts to the family upon arrival. She gave the females scarves and kimonos and the boys T-shirts. The Rectors gave her a color book with all the U.S. states. Chiho was able to read the Rectors a story in English.

Chiho carried a book with her she used to write down names and draw pictures.

One of the things Chiho found to be very different about Americans is that they leave their shoes on when entering a home. She explained that in Japan it is a rule that shoes be removed before entering a home.

Her father is a pharmacist and her mother a nurse. Chiho said her parents encouraged her to come for this visit.

Chiho got immersed in the culture of rural America, as her visit was during the Barber County Fair. She got to show the Rector's pig "Big Bacon" in the Pee Wee division. Her nail art was selected as Reserve Champion in the Open House Division.

Melissa said, "Chiho has been a good teacher for us. The kids have all gotten along well." She seemed to enjoy playing with the littlest girl of the Rector family, Cambridge.

Chiho's favorite activity was playing baseball with the Rectors and their neighbors.

Melissa said the one thing she didn't like is that "we have to drive so far to get anywhere," which is taken for granted in this rural area.

"We definitely plan to stay in touch with Chiho. I hope we can do this again," Melissa said.