August 15, 2025
Six Kansas 4-H Members Return from International ExchangesKansas 4-H Welcomed 4-H Delegations from Norway and Taiwan this Summer
Thank you to the Extension agents, assistants, and other staff who assisted with the many aspects of hosting teenagers and their chaperones representing Norway 4H and Taiwan 4-H this summer. Your assistance in locating host families, assisting with In-Home Interviews, and including them in 4-H events such as county fairs made these exchanges possible. They appreciated the opportunities and new experiences they had. I very much value your support. I want to give a special shout-out to Stephanie Hays in Sedgwick County, who was so helpful during the arrivals at Wichita’s ICT airport when she helped meet flights, transport delegations, and luggage to the county office, and made arrangements for the arrival orientations there.
The following are the families who hosted and their international visitors by county:
Brown County
Kyle and Sarah Olson, Marita Helland, Norway
Jesse and Kara Ploeger, Min-Shan Hsieh, Taiwan
Franklin County, Frontier District
Brian and Linda Normile, Yu-Hui “Priscilla” Hu, Taiwan
Geary County
Todd and Vickie Kline, Mille Egeland, Norway
Lauren, Ron, and Kristie Moon, Marita Helland, Norway
Shawn and Heather Ryan, Jing Han “Lily” Wang, Taiwan
Leavenworth County
Tim and Diane Jones, Yu-Tsai “Younior” Yu, Taiwan
Josh and Shannon Rauschman, Wei Zhen “Jane” Shen, Taiwan
Nemaha County, Meadowlark District
Bill Love and Sarah Sourk, Erika Nyborg, Norway
Osborne County, Post Rock District
Marcus and Heather Betzold, Yu-Tsai “Younior” Yu, Taiwan
Rice County
Don and Cheryl DeWerff, Min-Shan Hsieh, Taiwan
Saline County, Central Kansas District
Michelle Coats, Jin “Mars” Gao, Taiwan
Sedgwick County
Casey and Cammie Bowman, Aurora Svalheim, Norway
Stafford County, 21 Central District
Brian and Carolyn Dunn, Kristian Eikeland, Norway
We appreciate all these families and others who helped with transportation and short-term hosting. The inbound exchanges are a valuable and easy way to give cross-cultural experiences to numerous young people in Kansas communities who interact with these eleven amazing young people. They also make outbound exchanges possible. Thank you to all who contributed. Additional families can apply soon for next year. Please continue to spread the word or this life-changing opportunity.