2021 UPDATES TO COME
Konnichiwa!
Are you interested in Japanese culture or in making a friend from another country? Does having the chance to experience daily life in a different culture appeal to you? Would you like to try new food, listen to different music and see new places? If you answer yes to any of these questions, and will be age 13 to 18 by July, you might be interested in the Alaska 4-H Outbound Exchange Program to Japan. This exchange, part of the Alaska 4-H Youth Development program of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, has been operating for over 40 years. Alaskan youth who participate in the Outbound program are matched with a Japanese youth of the same gender and similar age and interests and stay in Japan for one month during the summer, approximately July 11–August 9.
During that time, you will stay with a host family and share in the daily activities of your Japanese “brother” or “sister." You will also share Alaskan and American culture with them. You’ll bring a photo album of your family and community to show your host family, and make one or more of your favorite foods for them. Before the month is over, you and your host brother or sister will also go to Labo Camp, where you will participate with other American and Japanese delegates in activities such as crafts, games, drama and singing, having fun, making new friends and learning about different cultures.
The program cost for a delegate is roughly $3900 (the price varies according to airfare costs and is broken into payments). Included within this fee is roundtrip airfare from Alaska (Fairbanks, Juneau or Anchorage) to Japan, all in-Japan costs during the program month, medical insurance and orientation materials. Not included are expenses such as passport fees, souvenir money, luggage or clothing needed for the trip, or gifts for your host family. The Alaska Outbound program coordinator can help you with money-saving tips and ideas on how to raise money to meet your program costs. Families who host a Japanese delegate receive a discount on the exchange to Japan.
You do not need to be able to speak Japanese - all you really need to participate is a curiosity about other cultures and the interest and willingness to try new things, live in a different place for a month, make new friends, and have a lot of fun.
You do not need to be a current 4-H member to apply; by applying you become enrolled in 4-H.
FIND CONTACTS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS HERE
FIND OUTBOUND DELEGATE ORIENTATION INFORMATION HERE
Are you interested in Japanese culture or in making a friend from another country? Does having the chance to experience daily life in a different culture appeal to you? Would you like to try new food, listen to different music and see new places? If you answer yes to any of these questions, and will be age 13 to 18 by July, you might be interested in the Alaska 4-H Outbound Exchange Program to Japan. This exchange, part of the Alaska 4-H Youth Development program of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, has been operating for over 40 years. Alaskan youth who participate in the Outbound program are matched with a Japanese youth of the same gender and similar age and interests and stay in Japan for one month during the summer, approximately July 11–August 9.
During that time, you will stay with a host family and share in the daily activities of your Japanese “brother” or “sister." You will also share Alaskan and American culture with them. You’ll bring a photo album of your family and community to show your host family, and make one or more of your favorite foods for them. Before the month is over, you and your host brother or sister will also go to Labo Camp, where you will participate with other American and Japanese delegates in activities such as crafts, games, drama and singing, having fun, making new friends and learning about different cultures.
The program cost for a delegate is roughly $3900 (the price varies according to airfare costs and is broken into payments). Included within this fee is roundtrip airfare from Alaska (Fairbanks, Juneau or Anchorage) to Japan, all in-Japan costs during the program month, medical insurance and orientation materials. Not included are expenses such as passport fees, souvenir money, luggage or clothing needed for the trip, or gifts for your host family. The Alaska Outbound program coordinator can help you with money-saving tips and ideas on how to raise money to meet your program costs. Families who host a Japanese delegate receive a discount on the exchange to Japan.
You do not need to be able to speak Japanese - all you really need to participate is a curiosity about other cultures and the interest and willingness to try new things, live in a different place for a month, make new friends, and have a lot of fun.
You do not need to be a current 4-H member to apply; by applying you become enrolled in 4-H.
FIND CONTACTS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS HERE
FIND OUTBOUND DELEGATE ORIENTATION INFORMATION HERE
