Our Mission
Enhancing world understanding and global citizenship through high-quality 4-H international cultural immersion and exchange programs for 4-H youth
States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs is a non-profit organization headquartered in Seattle, WA. We partner with 4-H Youth Development Centers at Land Grant Universities across the United States and with a network of global 4-H communities and international youth development organizations around the world to conduct cultural immersion and exchange programs.
Host a Student
Short-Term Program
Our Summer Inbound programs bring youth to the US each summer to stay with a host family for 4 weeks. Based on a complete cultural immersion model, youth are matched with a volunteer American family who wants to share their life with an international visitor!
Visiting youth travel in groups and are accompanied by an adult chaperone who stays in the same state for the duration of the program.
Academic Year Program
American families, host an international high school youth for one academic year (August-June) and bring the richness of the world to your home! Students are enrolled in public high school and participate in school activities as members of their host families. Currently, States’ 4-H works with long-time partners in Japan and with Korea 4-H in South Korea to select qualified students.
Go Abroad
Short-Term Program
States’ 4-H Summer Outbound programs provide American 4-H youth with the opportunity to travel to foreign countries for a cultural immersion experience. Outbound delegates live with volunteer host families experiencing life as a local resident.
Participants experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own culture.
Academic Year Program
While States’ 4-H does not offer a year-long abroad program, our two partners in Japan, Labo and LEX offer year-long programs for different age groups.
Since 1972, our exchanges have impacted
youth & their families
countries
continents
Why States’ 4-H
- States’ 4-H has over 50 years of organizational experience in the field of international exchange, helping nearly 60,000 delegates and their host families experience a cultural exchange.
- We work with well-established partners who have a strong history of excellent program management and support for international education.
- Our programs are based on 4-H Beyond Ready initiative in preparing youth with a global outlook.
- We offer participants meaningful opportunities to strengthen skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and adaptability.
- Our outbound programs are immersion opportunities as opposed to sightseeing trips. Youth live with a local host family and truly immerse themselves in the culture for a rich, educational experience.
- Our staff offers on-call support around the clock while programs are in progress.
Unlock Global Opportunities
Stay connected with life-changing opportunities through States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs. Subscribe for program updates, application deadlines, and exchange destinations as they become available.
