September 15, 2017
Outbound International Exchange Applications Due November 1
All applicants for outbound international exchanges representing Kansas 4-H are expected to complete an application packet and submit it to Mary Kay Munson. 4-H’ers under 19 are eligible for exchange programs through our partner, States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs (States’ 4-H). This year they may travel with a 4-H group to Costa Rica, Japan, Norway or South Korea. These exchanges involve a one-month home stay with a host family. Japan Exchange participants may elect to add another month before the home stay to study language and Japanese culture. The minimum age for Japan and Korea is 12. The other countries require teens be at least 15 by the time of the exchange. Flyers that describe details about each exchange will be found on the State 4-H web site at http://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/kansas-4-h-international-exchanges/index.html after Kansas State Fair. The required application and supplements to it will be posted there as well. Adults over 25 may apply to chaperone these groups. Parents may not chaperone an exchange group in which their own child participates. Those who have volunteered with exchanges or 4-Hprogram as well as Extension professionals are preferred.
4-H alumni 19-25 may apply for the IFYE exchange organized by IFYE U.S.A. These exchanges are designed for individuals and go to nearly every continent with multiple home stays in one country, usually for three months, and may involve a second country for another three months. An IFYE flyer and application are found on the same web page cited above.
Application packets are due in Kansas on November 1 to Mary Kay Munson, State Coordinator, 1114 N. Spring Valley Road, Junction City, KS 66441. Mandatory Interviews and the first Orientation are scheduled for November 19 at Junction City. Mary Kay may be contacted at 785-238-3631 or munson@ksbroadband.net. She will contact applicants about the Interviews and the first State Orientation.