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 and South Korean 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)
Female age 14 (WA#: 47) Japan
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
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
Female age 15 (WA#: 25) South Korea
What are your hobbies? My hobby is playing puzzle because when I was a toddler my grandmother gave me an easy puzzle. So, until now I like to play puzzle. Also I like singing and talk to each other. And I’m interested in Harry Potter, Science and movies. And I like almost all of activity.
What activities do you enjoy?: reading, animals, camping, cooking, boating, movies, singing, playing the violin, watching baseball
What is your goal for participating in this program? I really want to participate in this exchange program because it was my dream to visit USA and communicate each other in English. Also I want to make friend in foreign country.
Sports you play: none listed Favorite Music: K-pop Personality Characteristics: sociable, laugh a lot, studious, energetic, cheerful, honest Swimming: cannot swim Allergies: mild moderate dust and banana allergy; *cannot be placed in a smoking home
Male age 15 (WA#: 28) South 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
Male age 15 (AK 09) South Korea
Strong cat allergy (should not be placed in a home with cats)
Nervous around hamsters and parrots (should not be placed with these)
What activities do you enjoy?: bowling,playing soccer and baseball, (watching baseball, basketball and soccer), listening to hiphop songs, shopping, hiking. Camping, video games, cooking
Personality Characteristic: shy
Delegate can swim and is a beginner swimmer.
“I want to improve my English and experience a new culture.”
Female age 15 (WA#: 51) Japan
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)
Male age 18 (AK 08) South Korea
No pet allergies and can eat all foods. Christian Faith.
What activities do you enjoy? Animals, trying new food, camping, hiking, nature/outdoors, studying, movies, playing the Tuba.
Sports you play: volleyball
Favorite Music: rock and jazz
Personality Characteristics: sociable, tidy, studios, cheerful, honest and patient
Delegate cannot swim.
Special Messages from Delegate:
“My hobbies are traveling alone, gaining various experiences through travel and taking photos to capture these moments. In my daily life, I enjoy playing PC games and reading world literature collections. My favorite book is ‘The Setting Sun’ by Osamu Dazai. I also play volleyball and do boxing and I have a strong interest in Japanese culture. I really love animals so at home I have a land turtle [tortoise], a cat and a dog.”
“My dream is to take over my father’s small company [sea food processing] and help it grow further. I believe that developing a global perspective is essential to achieving this goal. For that reason, I have actively challenged myself from a young age to gain diverse experiences. This exchange program is one of those challenges and through it, I hope to step into a wider world and broaden my view.”
Male age 16 (WA#: 60) Japan
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
Have you ever considered opening your home and hosting a student from another country? Below are several students from Japan seeking host families. Host families in the Academic Yearlong (AYP) program do not need to have children in their home in order to participate. What is required is an open mind, a heart willing to accept and the desire to share your life. All the students below are from Japan.
These delegates will arrive in August and depart in mid-June 2027. Their student visas require they be enrolled in public high school. Please take the time to read the brief biographical sketches below. Families do not need to be 4-H families in order participate. If you would like to start an application, you can find the host family application here.
If you would like more information, please email me at carolyn.russo@wsu.edu
Akitomo – male age 15
Sports: basketball (10 hours a week), camping (10 hours a week), Soccer (20 hours week), badminton (10 hours a week) and volleyball (10 hours a week)
Art and Entertainment: attending sporting events (20 hours a week), listening to music (20 hours a week), Playing musical instruments (20 hours a week), Photography (10 hours a week) and singing (20 hours a week).
Other Activities: School clubs (10 hours a week), Travel (10 hours a week), Computers (5 hours a week), cooking (10 hours a week), video games (20 hours a week)
4-H Activities of potential interest: Public Speaking, volunteering, entrepreneurship and leadership.
I enjoy badminton and weight training. I play video games and sports with my friends. I play the guitar.
Total daily screen time (video games, computers, texting) 4 hours
Spend 2 hours a day doing solitary activities and about ten in social or group activities.
Student does not really enjoy reading. He can swim at an intermediate level.
Personality Traits—active, charming, curious, sincere, friendly and open.
Favorite school subjects are PE and English.
Home chores are washing the dishes and cooking 2-3 hours a week.
Participates in the badminton club.
Allergies: dust and tries to avoid eating shellfish and clams (not a serious allergy)
“I hope to improve my English skills. I hope my host family will treat me not a s a guest but as a real member of the family.”
My unique strength is an ability to find enjoyment in almost anything I do. Attitude is important.
“Hello I am Akitomo. I am 15 years old. There are four members in my family. My father, mother, sister and me. My Father works at a beer brewery. I respect him because he has kindness and wisdom. My mother is a Labo Tutor, she is usually strict but she always thinks about me and my sister. My older sister is really good at playing handball. I mainly study English in International Liberat Arts course. Through this course we have had the opportunity to experience cultural exchange with international students who are the same age. We have experienced many different cultures and have interacted with people from various countries. I like playing sports and go to the gym to work out a bit. Recently I participated in a local badminton club. I used to play soccer for 10 years but I am not doing it right now. I have two hobbies, first is singing and listening a song. Music makes us emotional. I love how upbeat songs make me feel happy, while sad song makes me feel sad. It is fund for me to sing a song because my friends say I have a great voice. Also, I am practicing the guitar to play and sing at the same time. I am not Ed Sheeran so I have been working on his songs lately. When I go to America, I will show you the result of my practice. Second is looking at beautiful scenery. I will never forget the ocean I saw in Australia and the nature in Oregon. Japan does not have much untouched nature so those sights were very rare and special to me. I am thinking of buying a camera so I want to capture those beautiful scenes in America.
I often play board gams with my family at home. We play traditional Japanese board games. When I go to America I can tell and play games with my host family. I also hang out with my friends by playing sports such as badminton, table tennis, basketball and soccer. Sometimes we play mobile games or go shopping.
What I really want to do in America is to interact with as many people as possible and share Japanese culture, not just the food. To achieve these two goals, I want to organize a cultural exchange event in America I am not sure yet if I can actually make it happen but I want to try by using my friendly personality to build many supportive friendships and work together with others.
Harutaka – male age 17
Sports: Bowling (8 hours a week), basketball (15 hours a week), table tennis, fishing, tennis, badminton, gymnastics and volleyball.
Art and Entertainment: Watching TV (15 hours a week), going to the movies, playing indoor games, listening to music,
Other Activities: Computers (10 hours a week), video games (35 hours a week), cooking
4-H Activities of interest: Robotics, Veterinary Science and science experiments
Total daily screen time is about 5 hours.
Delegate reads about 20 minutes a day.
Delegate is an intermediate swimmer.
Delegate claims to spend 6 hours a day doing solitary activities and 8 hours a day doing social group activities.
Personality Traits: flexible, charming, relaxed, respectful, considerate, independent, adaptable, reliable, sincere, communicative, friendly, smiling and polite.
Household family chores is cleaning the bath five times a week.
Favorite school subject is math.
“I have two main reasons shy I want to study abroad. The first reason is that I want to broaden my perspective. The United States is a country where people from many different cultures live together. By living in such a place, I can learn that my way of thinking is not always the same as others. I want to respect different ideas and become more open-minded. By talking with local people and my host family every day, I hope to learn new values and understand the world better. I also want to share Japanese culture. Japanese anime and manga are popular around the world, so I want to introduce them and help people learn more about Japan. The second reason is that I want to become more independent and prepare for my future. I want to study science because it is important for my future goals. By studying abroad, I can learn science in a different way from Japan. Living in a foreign country with a different language and lifestyle will be difficult, but I believe it will help me learn to think and act by myself. I also want to learn how to make good decisions in different situations. I believe that the experiences and friendships I gain through studying abroad will be very important to me. By spending time with my host family and new friends, I want to learn not only English but also the importance of understanding others. Even though there will be some difficulties, I am sure this experience will help me grow and become more confident in the future.
I would like to build a friendship like relationship with my host family while always keeping feelings of gratitude and respect in mind. To me, a friendship is not just about talking casually, but also about caring for each other, helping one another and growing together. To achieve this, I want to value communication and also actively participate in daily life by helping with chores and doing activities together. For example, I can help with cooking and cleaning and enjoy walks or games with them. Through these actions, I hope to show my gratitude through my behavior. Through these shared experiences, I hope to deepen mutual trust while maintaining respect, build a warm friendship with my host family and have a fulfilling and enjoyable study abroad experience.
“Dear Host Family, Thank you very much for welcoming into your home. I am truly grateful for this wonderful opportunity and I am really looking forward to spending time with you. My town is a comfortable town were nature and convenience are well balanced. There are many parks and green spaces, so the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. At the same time, there are shops and facilities near the station, which makes daily life very convenient, I feel that it is a safe town where people are kind and connected to each other. At home, I value spending time with my family, during dinner we often talk about what happened during the day. Sometimes I show my family funny videos that I find and we laugh together. Those moments help me relax and make me feel happy and they are very important to me. I also enjoy spending time with my friends. We often talk about games and anime and even when we have different opinions. We usually laugh and feel closer. My friends give me energy and sense of comfort. I like sports and basketball is my favorite. I enjoy working together with my friends and feeling a sense of achievement when we do our best as a team. During my stay, I tope to communicate a lot and build a good relationship with you. I am looing forward to becoming a part of your family and making many wonderful memories together. Sincerely, Harutaka.”
Harutaka likes mathematics, pizza, and has liked basketball from a young age. He wants to be a pharmacist when he is older and looks forward to studying chemistry in a US high school.
Yugo – male 15
Sports: Bicycling (50 hours a month), soccer (45 hours a month) running/ jogging (10 hours), swimming (5 hours)Baseball, hiking/backpacking, martial arts, table tennis, basketball gymnastics, badminton, boating, camping, golf, track running, softball, volleyball, tennis, horseback riding, downhill skiing
Art & Entertainment: Attending sporting events, listening to music, calligraphy, painting/drawing, reading, singing, going to movies, watching television (20 hours a month) and playing indoor games
Other Activities: school clubs, travel, computers, cooking, video games
Like eating ramen and going to the hot spring
Spends about 3 hours a day on screens
Intermediate swimmer
Generally spends half an hour in solitary activity and 1 hour in social activity
Personality Traits: active, curious, adaptable, bright, friendly, reliable, polite, responsible, sincere, organized, sense of humor, independent, tolerant, well-mannered
My favorite school subjects are Math, Chemistry, Physics, PE, History, Geography and Art
Student has studied English for 10 years.
Would like to enroll in the 10th grade at a US high school
“The first reason why I want to go the US is to try some new sports and classes that I can only do in the US. I play soccer in Japan so I’ll see how much soccer is popular and try American Football, basketball, baseball. Second, I want to connect with people of various backgrounds and perspectives. I know that there are people with various religions, backgrounds in the US. By talking with them, experiencing their culture, I think I can see my daily life from their point of view and I could overturn my narrow common sense. I want to understand the wide world and make it an opportunity to think about my life and what I want to do in the future. Third, I want to think more deeply about what true independence means to me. By experiencing a new environment, solving problems on my own and receiving help from the people around me. I hope to become able to take responsibility for my own decisions. While staying in US I want to learn American norms that are different from Japan. How people in the US think for different backgrounds of people live together. How people express their opinions openly and at the same time as good relationship between friends, teachers and family. Also the way they stay safe in daily life. ON the other hand, I would like to teach Japanese culture to American people. For example, I can share how we celebrate festivals, enjoy traditional food, manners and customs. I hope to explain not only the customs but also the values behind them.
Living in the United States, I think I may face several challenges. First, cultural differences in daily life, school and social behavior may be difficult for me. To solve this problem, I will observe carefully, ask questions politely and try to adapt while respecting local customs. Second, language can be a barrier especially in class discussions or causal conversations. I plan to practice English every day, speak actively with my host family and friends, and not be afraid to make mistakes. Finally, being away from my family and friends may cause homesickness or loneliness. I will make new friends and participate in school and community activities to stay connected.
My dream is to be a doctor. During my soccer practice matches, I often saw how injuries affect players and I became interested in the medical care that helps athletes recover. I want to study medicine so I can support people’s health, just like coaches and trainers have supported me. I’m looking forward to my job connecting with sports.
When I want to relax, I read comic books or watch videos or play games.
I believe that communicating openly, helping each other and respecting our differences will help us build a good relationship. Thank you very much for accepting me into your home.
His Lex Regional Coordinator describes him as having a strong sense of purpose and very hardworking. He gets along with everyone and is very kind-hearted.
He likes to play soccer and listen to music. He likes hamburgers.
Favorite subject is math.
Hagumi – female age 16
Sports: baseball, American football, basketball, bicycling, camping, ice hocky, badminton, swimming, mountain biking, soccer, tennis, snowboarding.
Arts and Entertainment: attending sporting events, listening to music, painting-drawing, photography, singing, going to the movies.
Other Activities: Interior Design, school clubs, travel, handicrafts, pets, social dancing and writing
4-H Activities of interest: cows, chickens and rabbits, sewing/quilting, entrepreneurship, public speaking, veterinary science, dogs/cats
Enjoys shopping, picnics and drawing pictures with friends.
Two hours of screen time a day (video games, social media, texting etc)
Spends 14 hours a day in solitary activities and 2 hours for social or group activities.
Delegate likes to read and spends about 30 minutes a day reading.
She is an intermediate swimmer.
Personality Traits: Active, charming, stable, organized, relaxed, respectful, curious, adaptable, cheerful, patient, reliable, sincere, studious, well-mannered, bright, communicative, friendly, extroverted, sense of humor, calm and optimistic.
Home chores—cleans room once a week and washes dishes three times a week.
Favorite school subjects are PE and English (studied 12 years)
“I hope to build a warm and close relationship where we can trust each other and share many things. I want to challenge myself and try many new things. I can treat others with kindness and a smile. “
“Hello! My name is Hagumi. I am 17 years old from a city with long history and its traditional food is very delicious. At night, the city has beautiful night views. I have a family of five. I live with my parents, my younger brother and my younger sister and our dog. On weekends we enjoy going out together or spending time talking at home. My family is very cheerful and energetic and I love them very much.
I attend a private high school. My school is quite large, and school events are always very lively and exciting. My friends are very friendly and kind and they always make me smile. On our days off, we go shopping or have picnics together. They are truly important friends to me.
I go to school five days a week, and once every two weeks I have classes on Saturday. After school, I go to badminton practice. The club I belong to has a very bright and positive atmosphere and all the members work hard every day so that we can win many matches together.
I love playing sports, so when I go to the United States, I would like to try many sports such as soccer and basketball. I also love nature, such as the ocean and open fields. When I go to the United States I would like to experience a lot of nature and go to the beach. I also enjoy watching soccer and baseball games, going shopping with my mother and sister, drawing pictures at home and watching movies.
I love spending time with my friends, so I often hang out with them. I am very cheerful person who values kindness and always tried to enjoy everything with my full effort. I follow house and school rules carefully.
I hope to spend many fun and memorable moments with the people I meet in the United States. I am very grateful that you are taking the time to read this letter. Thank you very much. I would like to build a close relationship with my host family , just like real family. I will make sure to understand and follow your house rules and I will help with daily chores. I want to enjoy each day while always being thankful to my host family for welcoming me. I am very much looking forward to meeting you.
*delegate has McCrune-Albright Syndrome (causes Fibrous Dysplasia) but it does not limit her activities
“My hobby is listening to music and drawing pictures. I belong to the badminton team. I want to be an architectural designer. When I go to America I want to get a little closer to my dream. I am worried about homework and discussion at class. I study English with my teacher every Friday, I study vocabulary and how to speak English fluently. I will look at photos and if I can find noodles, many I will make them. “
Note from tutor: ‘after she warmed up, she was able to keep a steady conversation going however she needs to work on her speed with simple responses.”
Yoriko – female age 16
Sports: Kendo one hours a week
Art and Entertainment: Listening to Musci, floral arrangement, singing, playing infoor games
Other Activities: video games and cooking
I like to sing songs written in Chinese of Japanese with my mother.
I play the piano
I like to read and read about an hour every day.
Personality Traits: Curious, emotional, shy, well-mannered, optimistic, considerate, polite
Extra Curricular Activities: Kendo (sport that uses a bamboo sword), piano, shigin (songs written in Chinese or Japanese), Ikebana (Japanese Flower arrangement)
My favorite subject in school is earth science
I have studied English for 13 years.
“I am a high school student from Japan. I like cooking, baking and playing games. I am not good at exercising but I like that about myself. I have been playing kendo for five years which is a traditional Japanese sport using a bamboo sword. During kendo, I would like to spend some time exercising and improving myself. I like geoscience in subjects because I love to think about what natural phenomena cause such landscapes. I like to challenge myself with many things because I believe not challenging myself would be wasteful. I have three reasons why I chose America as an exchange program and why I would lie to go abroad. Firstly, there are many people who each have different thoughts so I’m sure that I can see diversity everyday. Secondly, I have been to America for a homestay for three weeks. I was so shy that I spoke to the host families but I tried to help my host family well, cooing, washing the dishes and cleaning. That way, I gradually built a good relationship with my host family naturally. However, I could not speak English well, which made my desire even stronger to go to an exchange program again. I fi Could do it all over again, I would be so eager to learn about American culture that I didn’t explain my own country’s culture effectively, so I would like to introduce Japanese charm points well. Thirdly, the reason that I am going to be an engineer is that I would like support other companies and customers using internet devices in the future. I’d like to support people from all over the world. I would like to make traditional dishes for my host family so I’m preparing many kinds of Japanese dishes for you preference. If you are interested in something you would like, let me know about it. I’m planning to bring Japanese seasoning to enjoy real dishes for you. Also, I would like to know how to make some American dishes for example, macaroni cheese, chicken noodle soup and meatloaf. Back in Japan, I’m going to make these for my family. Therefore, I would like to participate in school festivals or family tradition activities. For example, I like Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving because knowing why we eat the dishes and wear the clothes is the festival is connected to the country’s history. I think I can ge to know other cultures more deeply. I’m excited about my school days. I often watch American girl vlogs on YouTube; therefore, I admire such a day. I would like to spend the time on such a day. But I worried about whether I understand what the teacher or host families say, but I’m sure that I need to study more until I don’t think that, so I’m studying English hard. Of course, I’m going to study hard during the exchange program. I’m going to prepare for tomorrow’s class every day. If you have a way of studying effectively, let me know about it. I would like to experience many things. I hope these experiences will encourage me. I have confidence that I will try to do my best anywhere. I always think about what I can do. I am looking forward to seeing you.
Her English Teacher states “the student is not yet fluent in conversation but has a good vocabulary. Another teacher mentions she is a student that demonstrates a proactive attitude toward learning and the flexibility to understand different cultures and values.