February 15, 2016
School Year Exchanges Available for Hosting in 2016-17
If you’ve ever thought you would like to have a student from another country join your family and attend school in your community, please consider an exchange through 4-H. Kansas participates in the Academic Year Programs through States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs with Japan and South Korea. We believe these programs are among the best-administered in the country. There are high standards for the students accepted in English language ability, academics and motivation. There is a support system for the family and the student. The students have orientation and training conducted in their home country and by States’ 4-H after they arrive in the U.S. They are expected to participate in family activities and chores as well as doing volunteer work in the community. Most of the students have participated in one-month summer exchanges when they were younger. Students pay their own personal and school expenses. Host families are expected to provide meals, lodging and transportation. A new flyer on 4-H Academic Year Exchanges is now posted on the Kansas 4-H Host Family web page: http://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/host-family-information/index.html.
Families are encouraged to apply now as placements are made on a first-come, first-serve basis, and students have already been reserved from the national pool. Contact Mary Kay Munson, State Coordinator at 785-238-3631 or munson@ksbroadband.net for information and an application. This is a separate application from the summer inbound exchanges.