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States 4-H International Exchange

Host a Youth Delegate for an Up-Close and Personal Cultural Exchange Experience

Do you want to:

  • Give your family the experience of a lifetime?
  • Instill an appreciation for other cultures?
  • Learn new languages and communication skills?
  • Create new lifelong friendships?

Look no further than 4-H International Exchange! There are a variety of options both inbound and outbound.

4-H International Exchange – Applications Now Open for Inbound Hosting Opportunities – Summer 2026

We are seeking host families for the 4-H International Exchange Summer Inbound Program. Students from Japan will be hosted in Washington State July 23 – August 15, 2026

Delegates from Japan and South Korea are between the ages of 13-17

Placed in families around the state of Washington (arrive and depart from Ellensburg).  Host families must speak English in the home and have youth between the ages of 9 and 17 to be paired with a host sibling of similar age. 

*These are only the profiles for the Japanese delegates, we are expecting the Korean information in a few weeks.  Families can host two delegates if they are from different countries.

The application can be found States Exchange Host Application. 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.

To update your previous application, visit States 4-H Exchange login

Japanese and South Korean delegates will be experiencing their program orientations in Ellensburg. Host families will need to pick up/drop off there.

The youth profiles are below for both the Summer Inbound and Academic Year programs. Please note: these are NOT the actual names of the delegates.

Contact Carolyn at carolyn.russo@wsu.edu with any questions.

  • Host Families How-to – coming soon
  • Volunteer Local Coordinator Position – coming soon
  • What’s it like to be a host family (video) – coming soon
Contact Carolyn Russo

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.

We are still seeking host families for the following youth in our Summer Inbound Program. See biographical sketches below.

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  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 15    (WA#: 28)  KOREA

What are your hobbies?    Singing, physical activities  What activities do you enjoy?:     animals, hiking, dancing, shopping, singing, studying, camping, computers, trying new food, nature/outdoors, video games watching golf, soccer and volleyball.  What is your goal for participating in this program?      To improve my English skills. Sports you play: soccer, volleyball, golf, basketball  Favorite Music:    disco, popular  Personality Characteristics:  considerate, curious, talkative, loyal, laughs a lot, tidy, energetic  Swimming:  yes, intermediate level   Allergies:  none

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 CountryAgeGrade Entering ELTiS ScoreBrief Introduction
HagumiJapan1712673Hobbies: 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. 
RihoJapan1711680Hobbies: 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
RikoJapan1610722Hobbies: 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
KoreaInformation coming soon on our Korean delegates!
BOYS NameCountry AgeGrade EnteringELTiS ScoreBrief Introduction
HarutakaJapan1712712Hobbies: 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.
AkitomoJapan1611676Hobbies: 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.
ManatoJapan1711729Hobbies: 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. 
YugoJapan1610688Hobbies: 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.
IbukiJapan1611696Hobbies: 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.