States' 4-H International Exchange Programs

States' 4-H International Exchange Programs States' 4-H International Exchange Programs (S4-HIEP) provides international, educational, experiential opportunities for young people to develop positive cross-cultural attitudes and communication skills that encourage lifelong friendships, mutual understanding, and acceptance of all peoples.

About Us

States' 4-H International Exchange Programs (S4-HIEP) is a not-for-profit educational and cultural organization established under IRS code 501(c)(3) in the State of Washington in 2004. S4-HIEP is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 4-H Extension professionals from across the U.S. S4-HIEP is a full member of and is granted listing by the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (CSIET). The S4-HIEP office is located in Seattle, Washington. Exchanges are coordinated in participating states by 4-H Youth Development Centers of Cooperative Extension at land grant universities.

S4-HIEP, formerly known as the 4-H International Programs Committee, has existed since 1972. Since then, more than 45,000 families in the U.S. have hosted youth from Japan, Korea, Finland, Costa Rica and Eurasia ranging in ages from 12 – 18, and more than 7,000 American youth have made reciprocal visits to Japan, Australia, Finland, Costa Rica, and Norway.

S4-H Newsletter: Windows

Windows, the official newsletter of S4-H, is available for you to view online or print at home. Please take a look at all of the exciting opportunities available through S4-H!

2010 Spring Windows
2009 Spring Windows

Summer Inbound

Families have the opportunity to host a youth for 4 weeks during the summer. Since 1972, over 45,000 families in North America have hosted youth from Japan, Korea, Finland, Norway, and Costa Rica ranging in ages from 12 to 18.

Summer Outbound

4-H youth have an opportunity to spend 4 - 8 weeks abroad during the summer learning about another culture through the homestay experience. Since 1972, more than 7,000 American teens have made reciprocal visits to Japan, Finland, Australia, Norway, and Costa Rica.

Year-Long Exchanges

Families have the opportunity to host a student for the entire academic school year. Students are enrolled in high school and participate in school activities as members of their host families.

State Contacts

Twenty two U.S. states currently participate in the States' 4-H International Exchange Programs. Participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.