Kotaro Furukawa is here as a 4-H year long exchange student from Kashiwa City in Japan which is about a hour away from Tokyo by train. He is living with Eric and Noa Towner this year. Kotaro is 18 years old and very excited about being in America. At home in Japan he leaves his Father Koki, Mother Minako and his 14 year old sister Risako who was slightly excited to move into Kotaro’s bedroom when he left and take over his study desk. When Kotaro was 14 he spent one month with 4-H exchange in Michigan. He was interested in 4-H exchange program but when he turned 17 that is when he decided to apply for the 4-H year long program. Kotaro’s goal is to master the English language
as best he can and to become part of an American family to learn life, nature and culture by living with American family. He also wants to teach and show people about Japan and Japanese culture when he can. He has a strong knowledge about Japan’s history. Kotaro has great knowledge about
Japanese Kibuki entertainment and is excited to share it with anyone he can, and hopes to share it through 4-H teen leadership in Weiser. He has a strong desire to participate in a musical when he is here.
Kotaro desires to become more confident in himself and someday get a job which has to do with the English language. Going to the Washington County fair was new for him, seeing all the animals and activities, and watching his first rodeo, was something he only seen in text books before. He loves nature and insects and was thrilled to be living in a small town and closer to the outdoor life. He believes being in a small town the people are very friendly and easier to have conversations with. He has been surprised that some people in town already knew who he was.
