Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs are truly "learn by doing" experiences in world citizenship. Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs are conducted by Kansas 4-H Youth Development and K-State Research and Extension. Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs began in Kansas with the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) Program when 17 Americans traveled to European countries in 1948 to fulfill a dream of world peace through understanding. Kansas 4-H Exchange Programs today involve more than the IFYE Program. However, all 4-H exchange programs continue in the "spirit of IFYE programs."
Opportunities to travel are available for 4-H members and alumni between ages 13 and 26. The application deadline for all travel options for 2011 is November 1, 2010, for full consideration. Other arrangements must first be cleared with Mary Kay Munson. Screening interviews and the first orientation session is set for December 3-4, 2010. Questions may be directed to local Extension Offices or to Mary Kay Munson, Kansas 4-H International Exchange Coordinator at 785-238-3631 or e-mail munson@ksbroadband.net.
Last updated: 6/16/10
Kao-Chun (Cash) Ni and Chia-Mei (Amy) Wang,
2009 Taiwanese IFYEs showing off their first-ever
loaves of zucchini bread.
Chia-Mei (Amy) Wang and Kao-Chun (Cash) Ni,
2009 Taiwanese IFYEs visiting Mt. Sunflower
in Wallace County.
Martha Schneider appreciates a waterfall
in Norway.
Emily Schneider picks grapes by hand in a
German vineyard during the Fall harvest.
Genna Gehrt walks on the beach during
low tide in Northern Germany.
4-H Member Opportunities
(Ages 15-18)
Australia
Costa Rica
Mexico (Pending in 2011)
Japan (Ages 13-18)
4-H Alumni Opportunities
(Ages 19-26)
Australia, Austria, Botswana, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, and Taiwan. If there is interest in other countries, an arrangement may be possible.
For more information about these programs, visit the Kansas IFYE page.
Kansas 4-H Exchanges
Info & Forms
Kansas 4-H International Program Partners
WorldWise Exchange Services is the manager for the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs (S4-HIEP). S4-HIEP represents participating states (including Kansas) in coordinating 4-H exchanges for 4-H members 12-18 years old with partner organizations. Current partner organizations include Labo, LEX, and Utrek in Japan; Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) in the U.S. State Department; the Finnish 4-H Federation; Australia Exchange Network; LEX Mexico through Wisconsin 4-H; National 4-S Foundation of Costa Rica; and Norway 4H.
International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE)
Kansas has a long history of involvement in cross-cultural exchange programs beginning with sending one of the first International Farm Youth Exchange delegates in 1948. Kansas partners with 4-H and rural youth organizations to provide home stays in counties of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. IFYE Representatives are unmarried young adults, 19-26 years old, who spend six-weeks or from three to six months living and working with host families and learning their culture.
Labo
In 1973 the two-way Labo/4-H exchange program officially began. Kansas began exchanges with Labo in 1977. Kansas has hosted more than 3,100 representatives of the Labo program. In addition to sending Japanese youth to the U.S., Labo hosts youth from U.S. 4-H Clubs.
LEX
The Institute for Language, Experience, and Exchange (LEX), was founded in 1981 and began sending youth to Kansas and the USA in 1982 and continues two-way exchanges. LEX involves parents and their children in small groups learning together languages, songs and games from other countries.