By: Mark Mains
Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development, Teen & International Programs
The Kentucky 4-H Program has been partnering with the Japanese LABO program for over 30 years to provide opportunities for 4-H members in states around the country to host a Japanese visitor in their home for 4 weeks during the summer. This program allows families in Kentucky to learn more about Japanese culture, challenges their understanding of the world and helps horizons expand! The whole family will grow closer together and individually.
Participants often create lifelong friendships with their Japanese visitor…they may say “Hello” to a guest at the beginning but they say “Goodbye” to a new family member. Interested families only have to have an interest in the program and a child in the home of about the same age and same gender. The program also sends an adult chaperone who lives with an individual, couple or family during the exchange period.
Each year, over 20 states welcome more than 500 Japanese youth into 4-H and non 4-H homes during July and August. Kentucky is hosting 15 youth and 1 adult chaperone this year. We are especially interested in placing our boy delegates and adult, female chaperone. Families provide the Japanese youth with a “snapshot” of what an American family is like. For some, this means relaxing and lounging by the pool while for others it may mean working on the farm and livestock shows. Either is fine as long as you are willing to share your lives for the four weeks of this program. 
Youth are between the ages of 12-15 and have had a minimal amount of exposure to English. They are excited to have the opportunity to learn more of the language and customs of our country. Whatever your family does, the exchange student does right along with you! The best way to learn is by doing! During the final days of their homestay, for schools that allow it, the Japanese youth will attend classes with their American host brother or sister.
This is truly a life changing experience that brings the world to your door! This is increasingly important in our global society. Help us live the last part of the 4-H pledge “…to my club, my community, my country and my WORLD” by hosting one of our international students today.
To find out more about the program, please visit the Kentucky 4-H website at (www.kentucky4h.org/internationalexchange) or contact Mark Mains, mmains@uky.edu, program coordinator.
