International Exchange Programs

The world is changing rapidly and to keep up, we must learn to understand new cultures and languages and be willing to accept all people, along with their different cultures, customs and values. Through 4-H international exchanges, we hope to not only increase the friendship between people in Michigan and other countries, but also to help young people around the world develop an international outlook. Michigan 4-H Youth Development offers many opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges for Michigan young people and their families. 

Opportunities for Hosting International Visitors
Each year, staff from Michigan 4-H Youth Development recruit and train Michigan families to host international visitors from various countries including Japan, Norway, Finland, Belize, Poland Argentina, Costa Rica, and Australia. Host families typically include a young person of the same sex or general age group as the visitor. International visitors usually are with families from three to five weeks, with the exception of some year-long stays.

In addition to training and orientation opportunities, parents of host families are asked to participate in the MSU Extension Volunteer Selection Process, which is required of all 4-H volunteers and professional staff who spend significant amounts of time with young people aged 18 and under.

Opportunities for International Travel
Young people who participate in 4-H international travel opportunities:

• Learn more about other countries and cultures.
• Develop an appreciation of the social, economic, political and cultural contributions of all people.
• Better understand how culture influences values, beliefs and attitudes.
• Live with host families and actively participate in family life.
• Practice foreign language, verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
• Participate in an educational tour to acquire specific subject matter skills and knowledge.
• Prepare to share the international experience through presentations in their home community.

What participants have to say:

• “We are having a great time hosting. When we take our Japanese student someplace we find we see things we thought we knew through different eyes, his.” -Host mother for Japanese delegate
• “What I liked best about this experience was gaining a Polish sister and learning about the culture.” - Polish delegate host sister
• “With whatever career I choose I will be honest and respectful to everyone. That is what I learned.” - Delegate to Japan 
• “We are not All-American anymore, because a wonderful blend of real German, Swedish, Swiss and Taiwanese habits has flavored our communications.” - IFYE host family
• “My children who hosted and traveled continue to keep in touch with their host brothers in Japan and Belize. They have continued interest in other countries and cultures.” - Host mother 
• “At school, the geography classes are more interesting because we can find more countries on a map and know what life is like in other places.” - IFYE Host Sister

Meet the Japanese Labo delegates! Open this link and you will see the short biographies of each youth.

Japan month-long delegates list. 

NEW! as of February 8, 2013

NEW! List of Poland delegates for summer of 2013

NEW! Japan Year-long Exchange Students from National Pool for 2013  NEW!
Host Family Opportunities
If you wish to host a Japanese student these are the youth that are available for this year.
These students are available for placement on a first-come, first-served basis
*Age as of July 28, 2013

2013 4-H Exchanges

We are taking host family applications and outbound applications for the summer of 2013. Check out the 2013 4-H Exchange Opportunities documents below for a list of counties and dates for the exchanges:

• 2013 4-H Exchange Opportunities for Travel and Hosting
• International Hosting Opportunities Matrix
• International Travel Opportunities Matrix
• Application Information and all forms for Michigan 4-H Exchange participants, families and 4-H staff

Contact
For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Renee Applegate
Phone: 517-432-7624
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)