Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Travel Abroad with 4-H!

4-H group exchanges provide unique experiences of traveling as a group but also having some host family experiences as well. Live with a host family sharing everyday life while learning about a different culture and sharing yours.  Please promote these opportunities to senior 4-H members who are in the eligible age ranges for the group exchanges. Encourage 4-H members to participate in a life changing experience in another country while making friendships that will last a life time.


All of these exchanges have a December 15, 2014 deadline.

For 2015, group exchanges are being offered for teen 4-H members for:

--Costa Rica – June 18 –July 17, 2015 (15 participants)
     Curious about how the other side of the world lives? Live with a host family in Costa Rica and immerse yourself in a world that most tourists rarely get to see. You’ll share everyday life with friends and relatives in the community and build friendships that will last a lifetime. An adult chaperone will travel with the delegation on all international flights and stay in Costa Rica for the entire exchange period to assist with any concerns. 
Dates: June 18 – July 17, 2015
Overview: Departure orientation in US gateway city
Two-night arrival orientation in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Four week homestay with Costa Rican host family
(Most families are located in small towns and rural areas)
Excursions to Poas Volcano, Waterfall Garden Park or similar

--Finland – June 29 – August 1, 2015 (20 participants)
     Curious about how the other side of the world lives? Live with a host family in Finland and immerse yourself in a world that most tourists rarely get to see. You’ll share everyday life with friends and relatives in the community and build friendships that will last a lifetime. An adult chaperone will travel with the delegation on all international flights and stay in Finland for the entire exchange period to assist with any concerns. This exchange is coordinated with the Finnish 4H Federation who will organize the Arrival Orientation, homestay and camp.
Dates: June 29 – August 1, 2015
Program Overview: Departure orientation in US gateway city 
Two-night arrival orientation and sightseeing in Helsinki, Finland 
Homestay with Finnish family* 
Nordic Camp from July 23-30, 2015 with 1,000 other 4-H youth
Camp themes: intercultural learning, voluntarism, healthy lifestyle

--Japan – June 10 – August 6, 2015 (17 participants) and July 8 – August 6, 2015 (no Maximum number of participants)
Curious about how the other side of the world lives? Live with a host family in Japan and immerse yourself in a world that most tourists rarely get to see. You’ll share everyday life with friends and relatives in the community and build friendships that will last a lifetime. An adult chaperone will travel with the delegation on all international flights and stay in Japan for the entire exchange period to assist with any concerns.

Program Options:
8 week Nihongo Program: June 10-August 6, 2015
For the first 4 weeks, stay with a host family in the Tokyo area, while attending an intensive Japanese language program. After 4 weeks of the language program, you will move to a second host family for regular 4-week homestay (see below). 

4 week Homestay Program: July 8-August 6, 2015
Live with a Japanese host family for the month and experience daily life. You will be placed with a host sibling of the same gender with similar age. A group camp is offered through Labo & Utrek. 


Other countries may be added later.  

For further information and application forms, please contact:

Dottie Nelson
Cell   276-617-1065