Source: Rachel Noble, 4-H youth development specialist

For the past 40 years, Kentucky 4-H has hosted an international exchange program to broaden young people’s knowledge and views about the world and support global citizenship. The impacts of these experiences reach far beyond cultural understanding, and for many host families, these events have changed their lives for the better.

Research has shown that young people who are exposed to other cultures have an increased cultural awareness, are more tolerant, patient and mature. They also gain improvements in self-expression, self-confidence and critical thinking.

Each summer in Kentucky, international youth come for four weeks to experience and learn about the lives of average American families. Others come for a more intensive cultural exchange and live with their host family for an entire year. Host families have seen firsthand how a cultural exchange can enrich their lives and bring their families closer together. This year, the international program is expanding to add delegates from South Korea to the summer exchange program to offer more chances for positive cultural experiences. Kentucky 4-H also began an International Ambassadors Program that will eventually result in young Kentuckians completing a service learning trip to Peru in 2021.

For more information on how you can become involved with Kentucky 4-H International Programs, contact the (COUNTY NAME) Extension office.

 Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

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4-H