Open Your World! Ohio 4-H International Exchange Programs are among the largest and most successful in the country. Ohio families host visitors from around the world, and Ohio youth & adults travel abroad to live with families in a variety of countries. Host Families & Youth Travelers are not required to be current 4-H members ~ in fact, they automatically become members by participating! Join us this year as Ohio 4-H celebrates 69 years of participation in the program!
2019 Host Family Opportunities
Don’t have the time and money to travel? Enjoy the exposure to different cultures which traveling brings? Looking for a low-cost project or experience in which the whole family can participate and grow together? The Ohio 4-H International Program allows families to gain the benefits of international travel right here at home, as they welcome a new son, daughter, brother or sister from another country into their homes. Host families come in many shapes and sizes and are responsible for lodging, meals, and family activities. Exchangees bring personal spending money, as well as medical/accident insurance. Host families are asked to “live their everyday life,” and to simply treat their visitor as a member of the family, with the same responsibilities and privileges as other members. Notes:
*Families hosting a youth must have their own child of the same gender and approximate age.
*Families should not have any native speakers of the language of their visitor, and can only host one visitor at a time.
Deadline: As soon as possible, by 2/28 for 1st-choice placement. Applications accepted until all youth are placed (usually April for females & May for males). However, please inquire whenever you learn about our program! Thank you!
The 2019 exchange visitors to Ohio will include:
Japanese Labo Youth for 1 Month July 24 – August 18 (Ages 12-15)
Japanese Labo Adult for 2-4 Weeks July 23 – Aug. 6 or August 6 – 8 or Both (Ages 19-55)
2019 Travel Abroad Opportunities
Youth Travel Scholarships!
Generous Ohio 4-H donors, the Ohio 4-H Foundation and the Labo Foundation provide travel scholarships to all youth involved with 4-H programs who are selected for a travel program. A base scholarship ($1,800) + additional funding ($100 per previous exchangee hosted via Ohio 4-H) is awarded to each selected traveler. Selection is based on application, references & interviews (see below). Base Scholarships are distributed before the trip and Previous-Hosting Scholarships are awarded after successful program completion.
Overseas Homestays for Youth: Japan, Costa Rica & Finland in 2019! (Applications Due: 11/30/18)
*Not all countries offered each year. Japan & Costa Rica travel most years. Finland & Norway usually alternate years.
Get on-board with these exciting travel opportunities! Language learning, cultural exploration and personal growth are offered through 1-month host family stays. (Finland & Norway: a same-age host sibling is not guaranteed.) Adult chaperones accompany each group beginning at a gateway U.S. city. Non-4-H members may participate, but are not eligible for scholarships. Youth cannot be in college & must be willing to learn basic foreign language skills. 2019 Travel Application & Deposit Due: November 30. (You MUST first read the 2019 “Instructions for Completing the Application”– see website in late September.) Japan accepts an unlimited number of youth; other countries accept 15-20. Required Interviews & Orientation #1 in Columbus for youth and at least 1 parent held 12/8/18. Selected youth are announced January 20. In-Person and Conference Call Orientations held in the spring. See next page!
Please visit www.ohio4h.org/youth/international for more information!