Host a Student

Howdy Texas 4-H Families!
Texas 4-H partners with States 4-H International Exchange Program to offer various international and cultural opportunities for our youth and families. Check out all the programs at https://www.states4hexchange.org/ 
Once you are at the website, click on Go Abroad or Host A Student and select Texas -- you'll see the menu of programs that Texas 4-H participates in. Now is the time to start thinking about it, if your son or daughter wants to go abroad in 2019!
For this summer, 2018 -- get your feet wet and Host a Japanese youth or adult chaperone. This is a 4-week immersive homestay -- no statewide activities are required. You just host the student, doing what you normally do as a family. All prospective Host Families must complete the application on the States' Exchange website. Once you've completed the application, you will be contacted to arrange a Home Visit and Orientation.
Dates: Japanese delegates arrive in Austin, Texas on Saturday, July 21. Families pick up their delegate on Sunday, July 22. The delegate is with the family until Friday, August 17.
Host Family requirements: To host, the family should have a youth of the same gender and similar age. The Japanese delegates are generally 11-15 years of age and both male and female delegates participate.
There are no fees to host. Stipends are not provided to families; it is completely voluntary.
The delegate should have a separate bed, but does not need a separate room for the four-week homestay.
The family is responsible for housing and three meals a day. Special outings are not expected or required, but if a family visits amusement parks, movie theatres or other venues that have an admission fee, the family is responsible for that admission.
Delegates are allowed to attend camp provided advance notice is given. In fact, camp registration fees are often covered, please inquire in advance.
Share your home and your Texas hospitality while exposing your family to a totally new and different culture! The Japanese delegates have had formal training in English, but their skill levels will vary. The intent of the program is to provide them an immersive opportunity to practice what they are learning and to experience the American way of life! Families can expect to be creative in their communication with the delegate.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Darlene Locke at dlocke@ag.tamu.edu
If you're ready to Host a delegate, please click on the Host a Student tab https://www.states4hexchange.org/  and then click on Short Term Summer Program.
Thanks, Darlene Locke
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist - Youth Development
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension