Indiana 4-H International Programs Creating Friendships Around the World

Year-Long High School Program

HIGH SCHOOL IN JAPAN

High School in Japan for Teens

4-H Members can immerse themselves in another culture by attending high school for a full school year in Japan.  They live with a local family.  While learning about this dramatically different culture through both everyday life and classroom learning, the delegates also share their world including their school and 4-H experiences with their new-found friends and classmates.

The Programs

The full school year program usually runs from August to July.  The delegates are placed with carefully screened “homestay” families.  Their homestays are supervised by representatives of Japanese educational organizations.  A counselor from the delegate’s Japanese school is assigned to assist them and monitor their academic progress.  Participants are awarded a Certificate of Completion (not a diploma) at the end of their program.

The Cost

The all-inclusive program fee includes round-trip air and other travel expenses, the orientation program, and medical insurance coverage.  Participants only need spending money for entertainment and incidentals.  The program cost varies from year to year and depends on where the student lives.

How Students (both inbound and outbound) Are Selected)

Participants are carefully screened.  The program is only available to students who are still in high school.  The selection criteria is quite extensive; all delegates must have:

• Above average grade point average in academic course work, B average (85%) or better
• At least one year of Japanese language classes
• Recommendations from school personnel and a community leader
• Evidence of leadership abilities
• Previous participation in a short-term exchange program
• Good Health
• Maturity, good character, and scholastic aptitude
• Age 15-18

For more information, please call your County Extension office or the State 4-H Department at 888-EXT-INFO.