Extension ServiceInternational Exchange
Experience the immeasurable benefits of cultural exchange and life-long friendships with 4-H'ers from around the world.
This summer, your family can embark on an exciting cultural exchange by hosting an international delegate or by sending your teen abroad for a life-changing experience!
Hosting offers your family the chance to share everyday activities like farm tasks, 4-H meetings, or even summer camp (with camp fees covered), while giving your delegate a glimpse of American life. We have found that delegates to Oregon get so incredibly excited about meeting and caring for animals, particularly chickens. It's all new to many of these curious, kind, and engaged kids.
Meanwhile, Oregon teens ages 13–18 can explore new cultures in countries like Argentina, Costa Rica, Japan, Korea, or Taiwan through a summer or year-long abroad program. Both opportunities create lifelong connections and unforgettable memories.
Where can you go?
Argentina
Costa Rica
Japan (4 Weeks) or Japan (8 Weeks)
South Korea
For summer 2025 departure, apply through our national partner, States 4-H International Exchange, by December 1, 2024. Application information and details below.
2025 Travel Dates
- Argentina: June 19—July 13, 2025
- Costa Rica: June 19—July 18, 2025
- Japan 4-week: July 9—August 8, 2025
- Japan 8-week: June 11—August 8, 2025
- South Korea: July 16—August 15, 2025
- Taiwan: July 16—August 15, 2025
States’ 4-H Summer Outbound programs provide American 4-H youth with the opportunity to travel to foreign countries for a month-long cultural immersion experience. Delegates live with volunteer host families* and engage in experiential learning about a new way of life. Delegates experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own culture. Our network of like-minded international partners recruit host families and plan enrichment activities.
*Exception: Argentina uses group accommodations on program
Program Information
- Adult chaperones accompany the group during international travel and remain in-country to provide support.
- States’ 4-H provides Program Handbooks that cover everything from packing lists to financial matters to cultural information.
- States’ 4-H conducts group conference calls and a National Departure Orientation prior to international travel.
- No prior language study is required, but it certainly is helpful! Our international partners have English-speaking staff on hand to assist you in communication.
Application Deadline: December 1
All applications submitted by Oregon 4-H'ers must be completed online by December 1. This allows time for processing and for conducting interviews and notifying successful applications of acceptance.
All Potential Oregon Delegates must be 13-18 years old at time of travel. *other age requirements might apply to specific countries, check links above.
Please call or email Jon Gandy, State Coordinator, with questions.
Phone: (541) 460-7683
Email: [email protected]
Please note: The States' 4-H site will state the national deadline, December 15. Applications for Oregon are due Dec 1. This gives us enough time to review your application and ensure you have everything in order!
Application Links
- Delegate: https://smr.to/p98780
- Chaperone: https://smr.to/p98866
- Junior Chaperone: https://smr.to/p98865
How do I pay?
All Oregon 4-H'ers are encouraged to apply for the Oregon International Exchange Scholarships. Scholarship amounts are based on merit, financial need, and funds available. These scholarships are the
Please complete the application below and return it to
January 1: First Deposit Due
- $4000 for Japan 8-week
- $3000 for Japan 4-week
- $2500 for South Korea, Taiwan, Norway
- $2000 for Costa Rica, Argentina
- Make Checks Payable to: "States 4-H International Exchange"
March 15: Remaining Payment Due
- Final payment for remainder of program fee, airfare; and any additional costs that may apply (unaccompanied minor, travel agent fee, etc.)
- *this amount will be determine after airfare is secured
- Make Checks Payable to: "States 4-H International Exchange"
- Oregon State Program Fee of $250
- Pay in a separate check to "Oregon International 4-H Exchange Program"
All payments must be mailed to:
Jon Gandy, State Coordinator
850 NW Dogwood Lane
Madras, Oregon
Q: Will a chaperone accompany the group?
A: Yes! Adult chaperones accompany the group during international travel and remain in-country to provide support during the exchange.
Q: Do I need to speak another language?
A: No prior language study is required, but it is certainly helpful! Our international partners have English-speaking staff on hand to assist you in communication.
Q: How will States’ 4-H prepare me for my homestay?
A: States’ 4-H provides travel handbooks that cover everything from packing lists to financial matters to cultural information. In addition, each state may conduct a spring orientation covering these topics. Delegates also receive details during the States’ 4-H group conference call in late spring and a National Departure Orientation the day before the international flight.
Q: What is included in the program fee?
- in-country transportation, lodging, and meals while on-program
- Overnight national orientation
- Arrival orientation in host country
- Portion of chaperone fee
- Accident & Sickness Medical Insurance
- country-specific activities as determined by international partner organizations
- overnight national departure debriefing upon return
Q: What else do I need to know about payments & policies?
- Program Cancellations: No refund of paid deposits, unless full program cancelled by States’ 4-H
- Airfare is non-refundable once issued
- In-State Fees may apply (in Oregon, this is $250 to support the program, chaperones, and more)
- Unaccompanied Minor fees may apply (up to $150 each way)
- Program details subject to change
Host a delegate this summer! Apply by April 30, 2024.
Japanese delegates are here for a short-term homestay (3 ½ weeks) to experience American life. Is your child going to camp this summer? Send your delegate too! Camp fees are covered by 4-H and the international partner organization. Take them to the grocery store, let them do chores like feeding the animals, go swimming or play at the park, take them to 4-H meetings or the county fair! Treat this young person as you would treat your own child. The main requirements are just that the delegate has their own bed, three meals a day, and has adult supervision.
Our goal is to have all applications in by April 30! Host family selection is subject to the completion of the online application, an in-home interview, a background check, and delegate availability.
For more information, contact State Coordinator Carole Smith at [email protected] or 541-910-1025. We look forward to hearing from you soon and starting your once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Host an international 4-H exchange student!
Whether you feel ready to commit to two weeks or an entire year, there are plenty of opportunities to support 4-H by opening your home to a new friend. New host families will need to submit two references (not related to you)
What do you need to be a host family?
- A warm, welcoming environment
- A spare bed (but it's ok for kids to share a room)
- Two personal references
- Pass a background check for all adults in your home
If you're already a 4-H volunteer, your up-to-date background check for volunteering counts!
Oregon 4-H International Program Teen Counselor Program
The Oregon 4-H International Exchange Program is seeking youth in 8th - 12th grade to assist with summer programs. Interested teens may provide assistance at Japanese Delegate Orientation, or Japanese Departure Programs. Leadership duties vary by program. Japanese Delegate Orientation requires the most youth assistance which includes leading/teaching Japanese delegates. Applications are due June 15 each year.