Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. It has long coastlines with varied scenery, large mountains, and twisted valleys that are inviting to explore. Japan is well-known for being one of the world's leading nations in the areas of technology, innovation, architecture, and popular culture. As a delegate you will be living with a Japanese family and have the chance to experience Japan’s rich and varied culture. States' 4-H partners with two Japanese youth development organizations, Labo and LEX/Hippo Family Club.
Program Details
Dates: Japan 8-Week, June 15 - August 10, 2023
Japan 4-Week, July 12 - August 10, 2023
In Country Partners: Labo, LEX
Ages: 12 - 18 years old
8-Week Program: Delegates will arrive in Japan and receive an arrival orientation in Tokyo. For the first 4 weeks delegates will attend a Japanese language program (Nihongo, with Labo) and homestay with a host family in the Tokyo area (for the first 4 weeks a host sibling of similar age is not guaranteed). After the first 4 weeks of the 8-week program, delegates will move to a second host family for the regular 4-week homestay program (details below).
4-Week Program: Delegates will arrive in Japan and receive an arrival orientation in Tokyo. Delegates will then stay with a Japanese host family where they can immerse themselves in the Japanese culture and their host family's daily life. During the homestay Labo delegates will attend camp and LEX delegates will go on cultural excursions. The program will conclude with a departure debriefing in the Tokyo area.
Program Fees Include: An overnight national departure orientation in a U.S. gateway city, arrival orientation, in-Japan expenses (lodging, meals, and transportation), camp or cultural excursion fees, orientation materials and States' 4-H t-shirts, accident & sickness insurance, and a portion of adult chaperone expenses.
Nihongo Program Fees Include: All of the above program fees and an additional 4-week Japan language program with accompanying cultural excursions.
Basic Timeline:
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| | Fall | Submit your online application to your State Coordinator. Due dates vary by state. |
| | January 15 | State Coordinators send recommended applications & deposit payments to the States’ 4-H National Office. |
| | Early February | States’ 4-H reviews applications and makes final selection decisions. Space may be limited based on hosting capacity of the partner country. States’ 4-H notifies all applicants of their status. |
| | Spring | States’ 4-H books non-refundable air tickets. |
| | Late Spring | Host Family placement is announced. |
| | Summer | Students fly to U.S. hub city for National Departure Orientation the day before international flight. |