States' 4-H International Exchange Programs

What makes States’ 4-H International (States’ 4-H) different?

When you host or study abroad with States’ 4-H, you partner with one of the largest youth-serving organizations in America. 4-H is found in more than 70 countries in North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In the United States, 4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H programs are implemented by more than 100 land-grant colleges and universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country.

4-H is built on a model of positive youth development. States’ 4-H sees hosting as an educational opportunity not just for the exchange student, but also for the host family, host school, and entire host community. States’ 4-H programs focus on life skill development, including communication, tolerance, respect for others, and engaged citizenship. Our vast and multi-layered support network means there is always someone available to help if you have a question, problem, or just need advice on how to handle a particular situation. 

Academic Year & Semester Programs in USA – Secondary school students from Japan and South Korea live with a 4-H host family and attend one academic year of high school in the United States. Students must meet minimum English proficiency requirements. The program provides a group arrival orientation, midterm meeting, and departure debriefing in the U.S., along with medical insurance. Extensive on-program support is provided by a network of state and local coordinators, as well as the States’ 4-H main office. 

Our Mission: Enhancing world understanding and global citizenship through high-quality 4-H international cultural immersion and exchange programs for 4-H aged youth.

States’ 4-H is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational and cultural organization. States’ 4-H is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 4-H Extension professionals from across the U.S. Full-time staff oversee and manage all programs from States’ 4-H Headquarters in Seattle, WA. Exchanges are coordinated through partnerships with 4-H Youth Development Centers of the Cooperative Extension System at Land Grant Colleges and Universities across the U.S..