Are you interested learning more about the world around you? Would you and your family be willing to open your doors to a person your age from another country? 4-H International Exchange Programs bring the world to your door and create a lifetime of experiences. The focus of the 4-H Exchange program is to build friendships between youth and families of different cultures and provide both with an educational experience that will better prepare them for life in a global society.
Currently Kentucky 4-H Participates in several different types of exchanges. They are:
Japanese Inbound
LABO – Short for Language Laboratory, these clubs are primarily for middle school youth. Japanese youth between the ages of 12-15 come to the United State for four weeks July – August. They stay with an American Family who have a host brother or sister within 2 years of their age. You and your family don’t have to do anything special…they are there to live like an average American kid!
UTREK – This program is for Japanese youth who are between the ages of 15-17. They come to the USA to stay with a family for four weeks from July – August. During that time they, along with their host brother or sister, will attend a special camping experience. This changes each year but focuses environmentalism and appreciate the resources of Kentucky. The same criteria apply for the host families as in the LABO program (they should have a host sibling within 2 years of the exchange child’s age).
Chaperones – LABO and UTREK both bring adult chaperones along with their youth delegation. We are also looking for families who would be willing to host these adults for a 2 or 4 week period each year. This is a great chance to make long lasting, international friendships.
Year Long Inbound
Year Long Japanese – This program is for families or individuals who would be interested in hosting a Japanese high school student in their home for 10 months. During that time the student attends the local high school. Unlike LABO or UTREK you do NOT have to have a family member the same age as the student. This is a perfect opportunity for families or individuals with young children, grown up children or anyone in between!
Year Long FLEX – The Future Leaders Exchange program is for those families interested in hosting a year-long high school student from one of the Eastern European counties (formally the Soviet Union). During their time here they learn about American ideals of leadership, citizenship and community. They attend a local high school and take part in the family life. As with our other year long exchange programs, you do NOT have to have a family member the same age as the student. This is a perfect opportunity for families or individuals with young children, grown up children or anyone in between!
Outbound Exchange Programs
If you would be interested in traveling to another country Kentucky 4-H offers travel opportunities to Japan, Finland, Norway and Australia. Outbound stays range from 4-8 weeks and from $1500 to $4500 dollars. Limited financial assistance MAY be available from the State Office. Priority is given to those families that have hosted in the past.
For More Information contact your County Extension Agent or:
Mark Mains, Extension Specialist, Teen And International Programs
University of Kentucky
212 Scovell Hall
Lexington, KY 40546-0064
859.257.5961 x231
mmains@uky.edu
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