4-H Japanese Exchange Program

4-H exchanges with Japan have existed since 1972 and currently involves 35 states. Since 1972, more than 30,000 families in the United States have hosted Japanese teenagers and more than 6,000 4-Her’s have made visits to Japan through this unique program.

This 4-H international exchange program is operated by the Cooperative Extension Service nationally, and through the 4-H Youth Development departments of Cooperative Extension of the land grant university in participating states.

The overall mission of the 4-H International Program is to provide age appropriate experiential educational and development opportunities for youth.

The National 4-H International Programs Committee (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization) formulates overall guidelines to promote uniformity and continuity in the management of the exchanges in the United States. The IPC works with three Japanese organizations – Labo, Lex, and Utrek.

These Japanese organizations promote the program in Japan, select and prepare delegates according to guidelines mutually agreed upon b y 4-H and the Japanese organizations. The program is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Council for Standards on International Education (CSIET)

In Pennsylvania, the following people coordinate the Japanese exchange program:

Dr. Patreese Ingram, International Specialist
Pennsylvania State University
2C Ferguson Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-7439
E-mail: pdi1@psu.edu

Ellen Linamen, 4-H International Program Coordinator, PA West
101 Motor Pool Way
Butler, PA 16001-3545
Phone: 724-287-4761
E-mail: ehl3@psu.edu

For more information, please visit the World Wise Web site.