States 4-H International Exchange
We are seeking host families for the 4-H International Exchange Summer Inbound Program. Students from Japan will be hosted in Washington State, Friday, July 25th through Sunday, August 16th.
Please review and complete the Application to be a Summer Host Family. The screening process involves background checks, references, and a home visit. Delegates are placed with a youth host sibling in the home of the same gender and up to a four-year age difference. Volunteer host families must speak English in the home.
Japanese delegates will be experiencing their program orientations in Ellensburg. Host families will need to pick up/drop off there.
Female age 13 (WA#: 31)
What are your hobbies? Singing (J-POP), writing stories, playing the ukelele, playing the clarinet and playing the marimba What activities do you enjoy?: writing, painting/drawing, photography, shopping, video games, singing, arts/crafts, studying, playing ukulele/clarinet and marimba, reading books novels and manga What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to try many different things. I practice to play ukelele and sing songs. I want to enjoy music with host family. I want to take happy and interesting photos with my host family. Favorite school subject(s): Japanese and music Sports you play:tennis and badminton Favorite Music: classical, popular Personality Characteristics: sociable, energetic, considerate of others, curious, loves to laugh, emotional, cheerful, talkative, honest Swimming: delegate is a beginner swimmer Allergies: delegate has a mild cat allergy but can be placed with one indoors but please not in her bedroom
Female age 13 (WA#: 33)
What are your hobbies? I am very interested in stationary. I want to see some American stationary stores. I’m in the volleyball club at school. I want to play volleyball with host and her friends. I like music and I can play the piano, so I want to play music with host and friends. What activities do you enjoy?: cooking, gardening, arts/crafts, playing piano, swimming, watching volleyball What is your goal for participating in this program? My goal is to have good communication with my host family in English. I try to do anything with my host, I want to experience many things. I will listen and read English books from now [on] I make an effort. Favorite school subject(s): mathematics Sports you play:running, swimming, volleyball Favorite Music: classical, popular Personality Characteristics: sociable, energetic, curious, emotional, cheerful, talkative, loves to laugh, tidy, tolerant, honest, serious, studious, patient, considerate of others, outgoing Swimming: delegate is an advanced swimmer Allergies: none
Female age 13 (WA#: 35)
What are your hobbies? I like listening to music. I like going shopping and going to the movies with my friends. I have never had a pet, but I love animals, especially cats. What activities do you enjoy?: photography, museums, cooking, camping, arts/crafts, gardening, trying new food, boating, nature/outdoor, movies, computers, video games, dancing, swimming, social media, acting, playing recorder/piano/guitar, watching soccer, baseball and basketball, watching variety shows and romance drama, animals (cat, dog, horse, hedgehogs and rabbits), talking with friends What is your goal for participating in this program? My goal is to learn about foreign cultures and lifestyles. I want to cook Japanese food and have people saw it is delicious. I want to communicate with my host family in English. I want to make many happy memories with my host family. Finally, I want to discover a new side of myself. Favorite school subject(s): Japanese, Home Economics Sports you play:soccer, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, skiing, ping pong and talking with friends Favorite Music: hip hop, popular, rap, show tunes Personality Characteristics: sociable, curious, cheerful, love to laugh, tolerant, serious, honest, loyal, outgoing, considerate of others, patient and energetic Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: dust mites and dust (very mild), Japanese cedar pollen
Female age 14 (WA#: 47)
What are your hobbies? I like adventure, I like to see and know new things and talk with new people. And I like to see and investigate history, games, manga and anime. What activities do you enjoy?: photography, museums, painting/drawing, hiking, arts/crafts, singing, shopping, video fames, dancing, movies, gardening, nature/outdoors, boating, trying new food, acting, reading comedy/jokes and mystery books, like all fluffy animals, likes watching comedies, mysteries, horror, news, anime and cooking programs on TV What is your goal for participating in this program? My goal is to know American life and culture and to teach Japanese culture. I want to study English for communication in Japan. I want to help with housework in America. I want to go to many places with host family to know America. I want to take a lot of Japanese things and show them. Favorite school subject(s): history Sports you play: karate and ping pong Favorite Music: popular, Vocaloid and hip hop Personality Characteristics: considerate of others, curious, cheerful, talkative, loves to laugh, tolerant, loyal, outgoing Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: very mild shrimp, crabs and eggs allergy; mild Japanese cedar pollen allergy
Female age 14 (WA#: 49)
What are your hobbies? I like hip-hop dance, swimming, playing tennis, movies (Disney and Ghibli), I am interested in looing around beautiful flower gardens and walking. What activities do you enjoy?: cooking, museums, trying new food, nature/outdoors, movies, camping, shopping, dancing, social media, swimming, singing, playing the piano, playing, movies, dancing baseball/basketball and volleyball, likes dogs and pandas, likes watching drama on tv What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to introduce Japanese traditional events and customs as Japanese culture, I will communicate with my host family and make many friends of 4-H club. Favorite school subject(s): PE Sports you play: gymnastics, volleyball, swimming, basketball, tennis, ping pong Favorite Music: hip hop, show tunes Personality Characteristics: energetic, considerate of others, outgoing, furious, shy, cheerful, talkative, honest, loyal, loves to laugh, tidy, tolerant Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer and likes to swim Allergies: mild dog allergy, it is okay to placed in a home with dogs; atopic dermatitis
Female age 15 (WA#: 51)
What are your hobbies? Playing volleyball, handicrafts, playing the piano, painting pictures, reading, cooking, embroider, gardening, traveling, singing, cycling, jogging and shopping What activities do you enjoy?: writing, trying new food, cooking, painting/drawing, shopping, singing, movies, nature/outdoors, playing piano, watching basketball and volleyball, arts/crafts, reading novels, watching dramas on TV, dogs and cats, and drawing portraits. What is your goal for participating in this program? My goal is becoming the member of my host family. For that I will take action positively. By doing so, I want to know a lot of foreign cultures and introduce a lot of Japanese culture. To do that, I will talk to many Labo friends in preparatory activities. Also, I will learn more about Japan enough to introduce to my host family. Favorite school subject(s): Japanese, English, PE, Music, Art Sports you play: running, volleyball, badminton Favorite Music: classical, popular Personality Characteristics: sociable, curious, loves to laugh, cheerful, talkative, positive, tolerant, studious, outgoing, considerate of others, patient, energetic Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: Japanese cedar pollen (mild)
Female age 15 (WA#: 53)
What are your hobbies? I like making something so I like handicrafts. I like drawing pictures too. I like dogs very much. I have a dog. Playing with my dog is my favorite time. What activities do you enjoy?: photography, cooking, nature/outdoor, movies, arts/crafts, painting/drawing, camping, shopping, video games, singing, moves, playing piano, handicrafts, origami, calligraphy, watching comedy shows, mammals and dogs, reading novels and fiction What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to learn foreign countries’ cultures, traditional things, events and foods. I want to find differences between Japan and America. I’m going to tell Japanese culture to my host family. At first I want to learn Japanese culture a lot. Favorite school subject(s): English Sports you play:swimming, ping pong Favorite Music: classical, show tunes, popular Personality Characteristics: sociable, considerate of others, outgoing, curious, shy, loves to laugh, tolerant, studios, serious, talkative, honest and cheerful Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: Japanese cedar pollen
Male age 13 (WA#: 38)
What are your hobbies? Violin, reading comic books and mysteries, playing sports (table tennis, tennis, playing catch), camping, world heritage sites (site seeing), watching sports (baseball, basketball, being outdoors (fishing, water playing), rubiks cube, card games and board games What activities do you enjoy?: nature/drawing, movies, computers, camping, video games, social media, playing violin, watching baseball, soccer and basketball, reading comics, mystery novels and biographies, dogs, visiting world heritage sites, Rubik’s Cube, card games and board games What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to understand the differences and similarities between North America and Japan and make this homestay wonderful for both my host family and me. I’ll study Japanese culture and do my best to explain it in English. I also want to talk about the violin, which I enjoy and about my daily life. I hope to enjoy the nature that is unique to North America. Favorite school subject(s): social studies, mathematics Sports you play: swimming, tennis, skiing, ping pong, gymnastics, playing catch, jump rope Favorite Music: popular, show tunes, classical Personality Characteristics: patient, considerate of others, quiet, shy, serious, studious, honest Swimming: delegate can swim and is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: none
Male age 14 (WA#: 42)
What are your hobbies? I play soccer every day. I like origami, I can make Modular Origami. I like playing outside. I also like playing with kids. What activities do you enjoy?: hiking, nature/outdoors, arts/crafts, video games, camping, movies, animals (dogs) What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to improve my communication skills with foreigners. I want to be friends with my host. I want to teach how to make origami. I am very good at making origami. Favorite school subject(s): PE Sports you play: soccer, skiing Favorite Music: rap Personality Characteristics: sociable, curious, talkative, loves to laugh, energetic, considerate of others, outgoing Swimming: delegate is a beginner swimmer and likes to swim Allergies: dust mites (very mild)
Male age 14 (WA#: 46)
What are your hobbies? “My hobbies are playing video games and playing table tennis. I want to play with cats and dogs.” What activities do you enjoy?: cooking, nature/outdoors, computers, hiking, video fames, swimming, reading books (picture books), animals (cats, dogs) and watching comedies on TV What is your goal for participating in this program? “I want to make many friends with host. I will show you Japanese candies. I make my introduce album and show it for my host family.” Favorite school subject(s): English Sports you play: soccer, swimming, ping pong Favorite Music: popular Personality Characteristics: Considerate of others, shy, serious Swimming: delegate can swim and is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: none
Male age 16 (WA#: 60)
What are your hobbies? My hobby is playing basketball, so I like the NBA games. Also, I like animals and nature. What activities do you enjoy?: trying new food, nature/outdoors, animals (dogs and birds), watching a sport (basketball and baseball), camping, video games What is your goal for participating in this program? My goal is to improve my English and learn about a different culture. Before the homes stay, I will study basic English and learn about the host country. During the homestay, I will try to communicate actively with my host family. Favorite school subject: Mathematics Sports you play:baseball, basketball Favorite Music: rock, popular, hip hop Personality Characteristics: sociable, patient, loves to laugh, outgoing, emotional Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: none
Male age 16 (WA#: 66)
What are your hobbies? I like to play soccer, I have played soccer for 6 years. Also I like watching sports including baseball. I like traveling and camping with my family. What activities do you enjoy?: trying new food, camping, hiking, movies, nature/outdoors, boating, social media, video games, shopping, watching soccer/baseball, reading mystery novels, watching anime, dogs What is your goal for participating in this program? I want to come up with my future direction. I want to enjoy cultural differences between US and Japan by communicating with many people. I want to try something new. Favorite school subject(s):PE Sports you play: soccer, swimming, running Favorite Music: popular, show tunes, hip hop Personality Characteristics: sociable, energetic, patient, considerate of others, outgoing, loves to laugh, curious, cheerful, talkative, honest Swimming: delegate is an intermediate swimmer Allergies: mild dust, dust mite and cedar pollen allergies (all managed with medicine as needed)
Information coming soon on the Korean delegates to this year’s Exchange program!
Hosts can be families with children, single people and older couples who no longer have children in the home.
Delegates are from Japan and Korea. They arrive in August, depart in June, and attend a local public high school.
The application is different than the inbound program and can be found by visiting this link: Application Academic Year Program
Please let me know if you are interested in hosting a student or have any other questions. My email is carolyn.russo@wsu.edu
| Girls | Country | Age | Grade Entering | ELTiS Score | Brief Introduction | |
| Hagumi | Japan | 17 | 12 | 673 | Hobbies: Sports (badminton, soccer, basketball),painting – drawing, nature, shopping, and watching movies.About me: I live with my mom, dad, younger brother, and younger sister. We have a pet dog named Naru. I am very close with my siblings and have many school friends.. My family has hosted international students. Notes from S4H interview: Loves badminton (plays daily). Wants to try soccer and basketball. Super sweet and friendly. Did a summer homestay with S4H in 2023. | |
| Riho | Japan | 17 | 11 | 680 | Hobbies: Cooking, playing musical instruments (french horn and the Koto), Skiing – downhill, singing, and traveling. About me: I live with my mom, dad, older sister and younger sister. We have a pet rabbit. I really enjoy eating. We have hosted many exchange students at our home in Japan.Notes from S4H interview: Did a homestay in California 3 years ago (not S4H). Likes eating, cooking, sleeping, and singing. Plays the koto (lap harp) and lives near Tokyo Disney. Likes shopping and karaoke. Likes making dinner together as a family. Wants to be a pre-school teacher (loves young children). | Pending – WA |
| Riko | Japan | 16 | 10 | 722 | Hobbies: Gymnastics, dancing (modern), listening to music, watching tv, and singing.About me: I live with my mom (who is a LEX club leader) and my younger brother. I belong to a gymnastics club and am a member of a dance studio. Notes from S4H interview: Visited IL this past summer for 2 weeks. Likes dancing (k-pop and hip-hop), and gymnastics. Likes eating and trying new sweets with her friends. Strawberries and bread are her favorites. Her favorite class is Home Economics. Likes learning how to cook and take care of children. Wants to share anime and “learn new points of view.” | Pending – WA |
| Korea | Information coming soon on our Korean delegates! |
| BOYS Name | Country | Age | Grade Entering | ELTiS Score | Brief Introduction | |
| Harutaka | Japan | 17 | 12 | 712 | Hobbies: Video games, basketball, watching tv, computers, and bowling.About me: I live with my mom and dad. I do not have any brothers or sisters. I was on the champion team in the Sakura City Basketball Tournament. My favorite subject is math.Notes from S4H interview: Did a summer homestay with S4H in Oregon. Is an only child. Likes basketball, comics, music, video games, bowling, and watching NBA on youtube (Golden State Warriors). Does not like insects or tomatoes. | |
| Akitomo | Japan | 16 | 11 | 676 | Hobbies: Attending sporting events & playing sports, video games, listening to and playing music, singing, and soccer. About me: I live with my mom, dad, and older sister. I like playing badminton and I also play the guitar. My favorite subjects are PE and English.Notes from S4H interview: Did a homestay in OR. Likes guitar (wants to play with HF and friends). Loves all sports. Loved Mexican food when he came to US before. Has an older sister and mom is a Labo tutor. Wants to share the kendama and talk with different people. English is a global language and he wants to improve his. Visited Australia on a school trip. | |
| Manato | Japan | 17 | 11 | 729 | Hobbies: Singing, listening to music, playing musical instruments (guitar, piano, and flute), tennis, and drama – theater. About me: I live with my mom, dad, younger sister, and my grandmother. My mom is a Labo tutor, so I am very active in my Labo Party.Notes from S4H interview: Did a homestay with S4H in KS years ago and sister was in KY summer 2025. Likes Japanese rock music and world history is his favorite subject. Very international family. Mom is a Labo tutor and they have hosted youth from US, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and Bosnia). Really enjoys learning about other cultures. Has younger sister. Loved KS BBQ so much he had a friend bring him back sauce this past summer so they could have a BBQ party back in Japan. | |
| Yugo | Japan | 16 | 10 | 688 | Hobbies: Bicycling, soccer, watching tv, running/jogging, and swimming. About me: I live with my mom, dad, and younger brother. I like listening to music and visiting the hot spring with my friends. I was a marathon runner in my club. Notes from S4H interview: Likes soccer, swimming, math and science class. Wants to try new sports (American football, baseball, etc.) Very sporty. Has younger brother. Never been to US or done a homestay. Visited Korea and the Philippines. Wants to take new classes – music, art, computers. | |
| Ibuki | Japan | 16 | 11 | 696 | Hobbies: Playing a musical instrument (piano), playing indoor games/cards, volleyball, pets, and photography.About me: I live with my mom, dad, older sister, younger brother, and my grandmother. I like camping and outdoor activities. Notes from S4H interview: His school has an English class and it’s his favorite. Never been to US, but has traveled to China. Enjoys playing piano and practicing English. Likes McDonald’s and bowling. Likes learning about different cultures. Most excited for school and for trying a big hamburger and hotdog. |