CSIET
The North Carolina 4-H International Exchange Program and Cooperative Extension Youth Exchanges are a fully accredited member of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel and strives to maintain thoses standards of high quality in the operation of its program.

HOSTING OPPORTUNTIES:

SUMMER MONTH LONG

1. JAPANESE Exchange through LABO, a Japanese youth program. The program is designed for youth between the ages of 12 and 17. It offers young people and their adult advisors the opportunities to live with host families and to learn the American way of life. The program is approximately four weeks long and begins in late July, coinciding with the summer break of the Japanese school year. Host families must have a child of the same gender and within 2 years of the same age as the Japanese exchange student. Families without children who would like to host may host a chaperone. Host families provide all meals, supervision, transportation to/from the pick-up point, a bed (students do not need to have their own room), and love and support. Families must fill out an application, undergo an in-home interviewand background check, and if selected, attend required orientation trainings. Applications to host a Japanese student are due by April 30, 2011.
2. COSTA RICAN exchange through the 4-S program in Costa Rica is designed for students 15-19 years old. It offers young people the opportunty to live with an American family for four weeks beginning in mid-June through mid-July. Host families must have a child of the same gender and within 2 years of the same age as the exchange student. Families without children who would like to host may host a chaperone. Host families provide all meals, supervision, transportation to/from the pick-up point, a bed (students do not need to have their own room), and love and support. Families must fill out an application, undergo an-home interview, background check, and if selected attend required orientation trainings. Applications to host a Costa Rican student are due by February 1, 2011!
3. Norwegian Exchange through the Norwegian 4-H Program is designed for students 15-19 years old. It offers young people the opportunity to live with an American family for four weeks from June 29 through July 27. Students are required to attend NC 4-H Congress.Host families must have a child of the same gender and within 2 years of the same age as the exchange student. Families without children who would like to host may host a chaperone. Host families provide all meals, supervision, transportation to/from the pick-up point, a bed (students do not need to have their own room), and love and support. Families must fill out an application, undergo an-home interview, background check, and if selected attend required orientation trainings.Applications to host a Norwegian student are due by February 1, 2011 at the latest!.
4. Argentina Exchange is a pilot program this summer with approximately 10 youth and 1 chaperone coming nationally. Youth ages 15 to 18 will be coming June 29 through July 27. Host families must have a child of the same gender and within 2 years of the same age as the exchange student. Families without children who would like to host may host a chaperone. Host families provide all meals, supervision, transportation to/from the pick-up point, a bed (students do not need to have their own room), and love and support. Families must fill out an application, undergo an-home interview, background check, and if selected attend required orientation trainings.Applications to host a student from Argentina are due by January 15, 2011!
   

HIGH SCHOOL YEAR LONG:

There are tentatively two programs available one with Japanese and perhaps Korean students and one with FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange). Both programs are for approximately one year. The student must be accepted into a public high school. Students may NOT be homeschooled. All families must fill an application, undergo an in-home interview, and undergo criminal background checks. If selected for the program they must also agree to attend orientation trainings, fill out monthly reports and attend a mid-year gathering of host families. Host families do not have to have children of the same age or gender as the Exchange student. Families with young children, older adult children no longer at home or no children are welcome to apply to host. Host families provide all meals, transportation, supervision and serve as guardians for the student through the year. Health insurance is provided. Students must have their own bed and storage space for personal belongings. Ability to provide a private bedroom is preferable, but not required. All year-long Exchange students are expected to participate in local, district and State 4-H activities through their County 4-H program.

• Japanese High School Exchange : Japanese (and a few Korean) students ages 15 to 18. The students come through a partnership with the LABO and LEX program. The exchange student's family pays for the student to participate in the exchange.
• FLEX High School Exchange is coordinated through the US State Department. Students and accepts students from 11Countries that are part of the Newly Independent States such as Russia, and Ukraine. The students are selected through a rigorous application process to participate in this program. The US State Department provides grant money to help finance this program. Students are required to participate in community service, school, and community actiivties.

2011 OUTBOUND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES:

• Summer four week outbound Program to Japan for youth ages 13 to 18. A $1650.00 deposit ($150.00 is non-refundable) is due by January 22, 2011. Click here for a flyer about the program that gives more details. (Microsoft Word Document)
• Summer four week outbound program to Finland for youth ages 17 to 19, although mature 16 year olds will be considered. A $1650.00 non-refundable deposit is due by January 22, 2009. Click here for a flyer about the program that gives more details. (Microsoft Word Document)
• Summer four week outbound program to Australia for youth ages 16 to 19. A $1650.00 deposit ($150.00 is non-refundable) is due by January 22, 2010. Click here for a flyer about the program that gives more details. (Microsoft Word Document)
• Summer four week outbound program to Costa Rica for youth ages 15 to 18. A $1650.00 deposit ($150.00 is non-refundable) is due by January 22, 2010. Click here for a flyer about the program that gives more details. (Microsoft Word Document)
• Summer four week outbound program to Argentina for youth ages 15 to 18.. Only a select group of 5 to 7 individuals will be choosen for this first year pilot outbound trip. If you are interested please apply early! Click here for information on dates and cost.

Since 1972, more than 48,000 families in North America have hosted Japanese teenagers during short summer stays and more than 8,500 American students have made reciprocal visits to Japan.

If you would like to learn how to involved or have questions, please email Carolyn Langley or call her at 336-318-6000

The NC Carolina 4-H International Exchange program works in partnership with the NC Agricultural Foundation Inc.