July 15, 2022
Three Kansas 4-H'ers Finally Do Outbound Exchanges
Submitted by Dr. Mary Kay Munson
After trying three years and dealing with cancellations due to COVID-19, Maddie Anderson of Johnson County finally had her dream of a month exchange in Norway come true. While she waited, Maddie took advantage of meeting a Pen Pal in Japan and hosted an Academic Year Exchange virtually with a girl in Indonesia through pandemic-adapted programs through States' 4-H International Exchange Programs. She has been hosted in Norway above the Arctic Circle by a 4H Norway family in June-July. Her brother, Nathan Anderson, also in Johnson County 4-H had his exchange planned to Romania cancelled this year. He was offered Norway as a second choice and is now enjoying a Norwegian month with two families in an Atlantic Coast area. Similarly, Abbigail MacGregor of Wabaunsee County, had her plans for an exchange month in Romania changed to Norway. She is enjoying a exchange month at her host family's summer retreat in a Norway mountain valley. Maddie, Nathan and Abbigail return to the U.S. July 22.
Kansas 4-H International Exchange Programs and Kansas IFYE Association plan a debriefing for returning delegates August 21 in Topeka. At that time, alumni will work with them on sharing their stories. Groups in their home counties and adjacent counties may contact outbound returnees to make presentations on their exchanges and exchange opportunities for 2023. Each delegate is required to give presentations upon their return.
To everyone's dismay exchanges to Costa Rica, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan were cancelled for 2022 due to pandemic-related issues. Isaac Moreno, Elis County, and Jayla Wyant, Barton County, both in Midway District, were unable to complete exchanges. We hope they will be able to participate next year.