'Do have cat?' 6 ways to model appreciation for other cultures

The best way to instill an appreciation for other cultures and different perspectives is by example.

When an acquaintance spearheading an exchange program at our local university asked me to host a couple women, I blithely accepted. Numerous trips to Japan growing up, and a half-Okinawan husband (although one hundred percent Americanized!) had instilled in me a love for that culture. My three young daughters needed global influence so nothing could be better—I thought. A few hours later, I wasn't so sure. The two Japanese students had arrived bearing gifts of green tea and origami paper. Neither spoke much English, but seemed eager to acclimate for the time they would live in our home. Yori and Kumiko had unpacked in the room I'd shown them.

Now the door was shut and they hadn't come out for a long time. I heard continuous coughing and nose-blowing. Finally, I knocked.

When the door opened, my heart sank. Yori was huddled on the floor, blowing her nose into a cloth hanky, eyes streaming with tears. Was she so terribly homesick already?

Both girls wore an expression I knew meant they hated to be the cause of embarrassment or disappointment. But upon my concerned inquiry, they huddled over their Japanese-English dictionary and finally found the phrase they needed. Yori looked up with puffy eyes and asked, "Do have cat?"

We did 'have cat!' How the program coordinator ever overlooked such important allergy information on their application forms floored me! Yori was quickly transferred to another home, but Kumiko stayed and was dearly loved by our family.

The best way to instill an appreciation for other cultures and different perspectives is by example. (You don't have to host an international student to be effective!) Here are six ways to model multicultural appreciation to young ones.

1. Stock your shelves with books that travel: stories from different cultures, countries, and time periods. When kids see a variety of voices and faces in their reading world, they’re more likely to grab a story that takes them somewhere new.

2. Turn reading into conversation. Chat about the stories you're both reading. Ask what they thought of the characters, or what surprised them. Share your thoughts. These little talks help kids learn that stories aren’t just entertainment—they’re gateways to understanding people who live, think, and celebrate differently.

3. Let events spark curiosity. Keep an eye out for local book fairs, author visits, and cultural festivals that feature diverse stories. Whether it’s tasting food from another country or listening to music you’ve never heard before, these experiences make books feel even more alive.

4. Mix up the media. Reading’s fantastic, but so are movies, shows, and documentaries that spotlight different cultures. Watch together, then chat about what stood out. What felt familiar? What felt brand new? It’s a great way to broaden your child’s lens on the world.

5. Invite the world to your living room. Hosting a missionary, immigrant, or international worker is a powerful way to let your kids hear firsthand stories about life in another country. Ask your guests to bring pictures, souvenirs, or even wear traditional dress. Let your child ask questions—it makes the world feel much closer.

6. Open your home to a cultural exchange. Hosting a foreign exchange student isn’t for everyone, but for families that can, it’s life-changing. Years after we welcomed a Japanese college student and a Chilean high schooler into our home, our grown kids still talk about it. It made their world bigger—and their hearts fuller.

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🔰Multicultural reading isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a way of life. By weaving global stories and experiences into the fabric of our homes, we help raise kids who don’t just learn about the world . . . they grow up ready to care about it.