Indiana 4-H Global Programs sent two groups of students to Poland and Japan, while students from Japan visited Indiana, to learn more about 4-H and experience culture abroad.
Indiana's Global 4-H Programs are offered statewide to allow 4-H youth international education experiences at home and abroad.
"Since 1951, Purdue has been sending kids overseas through 4-H," said Lee Stanish, international 4-H coordinator. "It's a step outside typical Midwest life, and they can experience how things are different in other countries."
The program has held a partnership with Meiji Gakuin High School in Tokyo, Japan for nearly 30 years. Ann Williams, an extension educator for DeKalb County, and Tiffany Henson, a 4-H'er from Dearborn County, left for Japan on July 15 for a 3-week stay.
Williams and Henson are learning about the Japanese education system and culture. Williams is living with a high school teacher, and Henson is staying in a high school student’s home.
While Williams and Henson tour Japan, 21 students from Japan are visiting Indiana to learn about culture and 4-H programs during their 3-week visit to 19 counties. The Japanese youth arrived on July 21 and are staying in the homes of 4-H families.
Global 4-H Programming also has maintained a six-year partnership with part of southern Poland. This summer, three adult representatives and 13 Indiana 4-H youth visited Poland for three weeks. The group learned about the 4-H system in Poland, lived with Polish families and toured cultural sites and cities.
To date, 58 people from Indiana have visited Poland through this program. Next year students from Poland will visit Indiana.
The program has a Facebook fan page that can be found by searching for "Indiana 4-H Global Programs." The page includes a blog that is maintained throughout international travels. By posting pictures and statuses, parents can see what their kids are learning while studying abroad.
For more information on Global 4-H programs, visit the Facebook page or contact Lee Stanish at lstanish@purdue.edu