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. Despite having a rich and interesting history, today Japan has grown in technology, innovation, and architecture. As a delegate you will be living with a Japanese family and get to experience first hand the county’s great traditions.
Program Details
Dates: Japan 8-week, June 14 - August 10, 2017
Japan 4-week, July 12 - August 10, 2017
In Country Partners: Labo, LEX, and Utrek
Ages: 12 - 18 years old
8-Week Program: Delegates will 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 guarunteed). After the 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 orientaion in Tokyo. Delegates will then homestay with a Japanese host family where they will immerse themselves in th Japanese culture and host family's daily life. During the home stay Labo and Utrek delegates will attend camps respectively, and LEX delegates will go on cultural excursions. The program will conclude with a departure debriefing in the Tokyo area.
Program Fees Include: overnight National Departure Orientation in a U.S. gateway city, arrival orientation, in-Japan expenses (lodging, meals, and transportation), Labo camp, Utrek camp, LEX cultural excursions, 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, 4-week Japanese language program, and cultural excursions.
Basic Timeline:
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| | Fall | Submit your application and $1,000 deposit to your State Coordinator. Due dates vary by state. |
| | December 15 | State Coordinators send recommended applications & deposit payments to the States’ 4-H National Office |
| | Mid January | 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. |
| | Febrauary 1 | $2,000 payment due to the States’ 4-H National Office |
| | Late Febrauary | States’ 4-H books non-refundable air tickets |
| | Late Spring | Host Family placement is announced |
| | May 1 | Remaining balance due to States’ 4-H National Office |
| | Summer | Students fly to U.S. hub city for National Departure Orientation the day before international flight |