After leaving Japan and returning to my Canadian home I found myself yearning to continue that connection with the people and culture. I was fortunate to find 25 families in Surrey who wanted to Host adult Japanese guests and make similar connections. And so I formed the Surrey International Homestay Company while partnering with the Takarazuka and Surrey Friendship Association of Japan.

In order to facilitate this cultural exchange between the Japanese guests and the greater Surrey community,  as well as the hosts families, I organized many cultural events and programs at Whistler as well as in the Newton Senior Centre, the Sunrise Senior Centre  and Bear Creek Park  .