KEELE, England -- The university in Keele in the English Midlands is only 42 years old. Before 1962, it was the University of North Staffordshire, itself a youthful, postwar institution. The programs put into place at the University of Keele turned away from specialized single degrees in favor of bridging the divisions among branches of study.
Not so long ago a visiting lecturer from Japan, Yoshikazu Uehata, initiated short home-stay arrangements for students from Japan at Keele. Now a group from Kyoto University spends two weeks here in the spring, and a group from Daito Bunka comes each summer. "They come with great trepidation," said Elizabeth Gardiner, administrator in the English-language unit at Keele. "They fly from Japan, are bused from the airport to the university, and at once go off to host families. We have to be sure that the people they go to are very good, very kind."
Elizabeth has several responsibilities in the English-language unit. For the spring and summer groups from Japan, she is host coordinator. Her work, she says, keeps her on her toes. "I find the hosts through advertisement and by word of mouth," she said. "I visit them, and make sure they meet the criteria set by the British Council, since we are accredited by the British Council. I go back to my office and match up what we are told about the likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests of the incoming students with those of the hosts. Everything is confidential. We've developed a good rapport with some hosts who have been with us for several years. This year we have some new host families, at least another five."