Washington 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 appreciation for other cultures?

• learn new languages and communication skills?

• create new lifelong friendships?

A Summer Host Family can do all this and much more!

Most summers in Washington since 1972, host families have opened their homes and their hearts to youth delegates through 4-H International Exchange. Families host a delegate for 3 1/2 weeks during the summer.

Delegates are 12 – 18 years old and have varying degrees of English fluency, but they all are excited to learn about American culture, share their culture with you, and experience American family life. No special activities are required, just hanging with your family doing your summer thing. All the while, your family is learning, growing, expanding your world, and making memories for a lifetime.

Give your family a global experience this summer. We are seeking 12 families to host youth delegates from Japan. Our delegates are expected to arrive on Sunday, July 24th and stay until Monday, August 15th. Host an international youth delegate and bring the richness of the world to your home!  For general information see the 2022 Summer Inbound flyer.

Apply online at States’ International Exchange Programs

Exchange Outbound 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 and engage in experiential learning about a new way of life. Delegates experience aspects of daily life that allow them to more deeply understand both their host culture and their own culture. Our network of like-minded international partners recruit host families and plan enrichment activities for the delegation.

All States’ 4-H Outbound delegates participate in pre-departure orientations held in the US. Delegations are accompanied by adult chaperones who remain in-country to provide support during the exchange. Delegates attend an in-country orientation upon arrival and prior to departing for their host families. Some programs include a summer camp or language learning elements as well.

Registration for 2022 is closed.  For more information on this program or get put on the 2023 waiting list, contact Carolyn Russo

Be a Host Family for the

Academic Year Program in 2022-2023

 Apply now to ensure a place for your student in your local school district

AYP engages high school youth from Eurasia, Japan, South Korea, and many other parts of the world. The student attends a local high school, but a high school host sibling in the host family is not required. Host families and individuals can be retired, empty-nesters, or families with young children. As a host family you need only make room for an international high school age young person in your life, and in return, you will be touched with new insight, appreciation for the wider world, and a new friend for life.

For more information go to States 4-H Academic Year Program or send an email with any questions you may have about this program to Carolyn Russo.

Apply online at to be an Academic Year host family