In what is becoming a summer tradition, Manchester residents Barry and Peggy Allen have opened their home to students from around the globe.

The leaders of the Manchester Lions Club are currently hosting two students from Japan as part of an international cultural exchange program in which the organization participates.

Japanese students Yukiko Miyachi and Yuka Maeda arrived in the United States earlier this month and are staying with the Allens until Aug. 26. According to Barry Allen, one arrived on Aug. 3 while the other came to town Aug. 7 after finishing college exams.

"This is their big summer vacation,"Allen said. "They just finished a semester over there, and they'll start another when they get back. They still brought homework with them, so it's not what we think of as a normal school year."

In July, the Allens hosted a student from Finland as part of the exchange program. Last year, they hosted Renia Murakami and Minami Shimakage from Japan, and in 2008 they hosted Natsumu Hayashi, then a high school student from Kyoto, Japan.

"Peggy and I have been doing this for three years and it's always enjoyable,"Allen said. "You don't always have the opportunity to show your country to someone else. The kids seem to enjoy being here."

The program is open to students between the ages of 16 and 21. It allows them to travel to foreign countries and live among the community. Although Lions International is the main sponsor, participants do not have to be Lions Club members and are not always sent to a club member's house during their visit.

This year, Peggy Allen is serving as the district chairperson for the program. Of the 15 international students who are participating, 13 have been place in the area.

Manchester High School student Morgan Evans participated in the exchange this summer and recently returned from Japan.

"The program has been in the Lions Club for 40 years, but it was resurrected in this area when Peggy and I got into it,"Allen said.

Last previous years, the Allens are treating their guest to many different experiences. Both Miyachi and Maeda joined the Allens for a trip to Niagara Falls, where they saw the sights including the Maid of the Mist, colored lightshow and fireworks. Back in Michigan, the students rode in Allen's Model A car during the Dexter Days parade where they met State Representative candidate Mark Ouimet (R-Dist. 52). They also attended movies, dinners, the final Gazebo Concert and the Riverfolk Music & Arts Festival.

Earlier this week, the Allens took Miyachi and Maeda to Frankenmuth for the famous Zehnders chicken dinners and to see Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. They also visited Birch Run for some shopping.

Later this week, the Allens and the students will meet up with another exchange student from Japan who is staying in Chelsea. They will then visit the Henry Ford in Dearborn.

"It helps them to see people from home, so that's why we're taking them to the Henry Ford together,"Allen said. "The kids brought a laptop where they can talk to their parents, and their families can know that they're in good hands and having fun."

Travel arrangements for exchange students are made between the Lions Youth Exchange chairpersons in the sponsoring and hosting regions. The costs of transportation (including actual fares, insurance, airport fees, customs duties and layover or overnight fees) are the responsibility of the sponsoring Lions Club. Costs to cover the trip are often paid by the club through district funds or by the participating student and his or her family.