An Okotoks family hosting Japanese exchange students in 2009.

In less than a month, 15 Japanese foreign exchange students will be visiting Okotoks with no place to stay.

Local organizers of the program are scrambling and reaching out to the community, looking for 15 Okotoks households to provide a place for the students to live between July 10 and 21.

Homestay Coordinator Donna Stratton says it can be a very rewarding experience taking in these Japanese students.

"A lot of [past billets] have families and youngsters of their own, and they absolutely love to see the integration," Stratton says. "Even though the language is a barrier, there is no barrier between play and camaraderie. So, they love the experience."

All of the students attend the same high school in Japan and are all between the ages of 16 and 17. Of the 15 students, 11 are girls and 4 are boys, while a teacher from Japan will be joining the students in Okotoks as well.

Stratton says Okotokians who participate will have to help the students out in a few different ways.

"We're looking for families that will be able to take them to school during the weekdays," she says. "They all go to Westmount School during the week, and we need them to pick them up. And then, they would spend the rest of the time for evenings and weekends with the host family."

Of the families housing the teenagers, all will be given an honourarium by the organizers to cover some of the food and transportation costs.

Stratton says it can be a life-changing program for both the students and the families.

"Some of the people that take part in the program actually stay connected throughout the years," she says. "And when some of these students get married in Japan, [the billets] are also invited to travel over for the wedding. So, it's amazing how many people still stay in contact."

If you would like to become a billet for one of the students, you can contact Donna at 403-816-1792 or her email at donnasloft@yahoo.com.