DEXTER -- From a busy, industrial city of over 1 million people to a rural U.S. community of less than 8,000, Fuyu Fujii of Saitama, Japan, says the adjustment to life in Dexter has not been a difficult one.
"I was in Kenai, Alaska, for a month in 2014," says Fujii, whose full name is pronounced Fooyoo Foojee-e, "and it is about the same size as Dexter."
Fujii seems to have quickly acclimated herself to life at Dexter Senior High School, where she is a member of the junior class. Chosen by popular vote of the student body, she was crowned Fall Homecoming queen in September.
In addition to her academics, Fujii participates in cross country track, choir, drama, speech and debate.
"I am happy here and feel welcome," she says. "The Averys have made me a part of the family, and Jillian and I share many of the same friends."
She is speaking of Mark and Laury Avery who are Fujii's host family. Their daughter Jillian, herself a visitor to Japan in 2017, is also a junior in high school. The family also includes three sons. Wes is a sophomore business major in college, and twins Eric and Evan are 11-year-old sixth-graders.
"Actually, it was Jillian who is behind all this," Laury laughs. "It was her involvement in States' 4-H International Exchange Program that sparked her interest in bringing a Japanese student here."
While the U.S. organization is a part of 4-H, in Japan the sponsoring group is called Labo. According to Jillian, it is a family-based Japanese youth organization open to children between the ages of 3 and 18.
"Labo's goal is to improve the English-language ability and to learn about other cultures," Fujii adds.
Jillian explains that as a sixth grade member in Star Banner 4-H, she heard another member speak of her experience in the States' International Program, "From that time, I knew I wanted to participate when I was old enough."
As a high school freshman, Jillian still clung to her dream of visiting another country.
"I hadn't mentioned it, so I think mom and dad thought I had forgotten about it," she laughs. "But I was determined. I applied and was accepted."
She spent one month in Japan with a host family.
"It was great. My family lived near Tokyo, so I was able to have a variety of experiences in that month," she says.
Jillian says that among her most memorable adventures were her trip to Tokyo Disneyland; time spent at Labo camp; mountain climbing; and being able to attend Japanese school for four days.
Because of Jillian's enthusiasm for the program and her involvement in her local 4-H chapter, the Averys were approached about hosting a student for a year.
"It was definitely something we had to think about," Laury explains, "but since Jillian was very much in favor of the idea, we decided to pursue it."
Getting a student is a fairly arduous process, according to Laury.
"There was the application, the background check, and numerous other details to ensure that the student was in a healthy, safe environment, and that we were matched with a student who would mesh with our family and our lifestyle," he says.
Once the application had been approved, the family received information packets on several candidates. One stipulation of the process is that the host family have a child the same age and gender as the visiting student.
The Averys pored over the resumes of the potential new family members, but they left the final choice up to Jillian.
"I chose Fuyu because she sounded interesting, and because we shared some of the same interests," Jillian explains. "We both enjoy photography and anime (a style of Japanese film and television animation), and we both share a passion for chemistry."
Deciding on a student was not the end of the process, however. Once the family notified the coordinator of their selection, the coordinator then had the responsibility of presenting the student's academic credentials to the local school administration for their permission to enroll the student for the next year.
Fujii has been in Missouri since July, and will stay until mid-June. She says she video chats with her family about every three weeks.
Because of the 14-hour time difference, electronic communication has to be coordinated.
"When it is 9 o'clock at night here, it is almost noon the next day in Japan," she points out.
Life at DHS is not so unlike a school day in her own country; however, there are obstacles.
The class she finds most challenging is English.
"Often when I read, especially literature, I do not understand the words. I read with a dictionary beside me," she reveals.
The soft-spoken young woman readily shares that her greatest difficulty has been the language, despite the fact that English is a core subject in her Japanese school.
"Sometimes people do not understand what I am trying to say; sometimes I do not understand what is being said to me, but people are kind and we usually figure it out," she smiles.
Fujii says chemistry is the class she enjoys most in her daily schedule at DHS, perhaps because her career goal is to be a chemistry teacher.
Now that cross country season has ended, Fujii hopes to have a bit more free-time to spend with her new friends -- going to the movies and bowling. Alone time will find her reading fantasy fiction.
In the parenting department, Laury relates that, luckily, her Japanese daughter is not a picky eater, "I worried a bit about meals, but it has not been a problem to provide foods Fujii likes."
She adds that Fujii brought a few Japanese seasonings with her, and last week prepared Teriyaki chicken for the family.
"It was delicious," Laury declares.
Being away from home during the holidays can be traumatic for a teenager; however, as the holiday season approaches, Fujii looks forward to sharing the festivities with her American family. Thanksgiving will be new to her, she explains, but Halloween and Christmas are both celebrated in Japan.
Reflecting on her three months as part of an American family Fujii says, "I am very comfortable here. I am glad I came and look forward to what is ahead."