April 15, 2020
COVID-19 Forces Changes in 4-H Exchange Programs
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures to limit spread of the virus, Kansas 4-H International Exchanges are experiencing changes in our current Academic Year Program Exchanges and planned short-term exchanges this summer with Japan, Costa Rica and IFYE hosting and Outbound Exchanges by 9 Kansas teens and an adult chaperone through States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs and one 4-H alumna who planned a two-month exchange in Sweden. AYP programs for the coming school year are going forward as planned. Kansas has two families already qualified and planning to host for 20-21. A number of students representing YES and FLEX, U. S. government-sponsored high school exchanges, and students representing Japan’s Labo and LEX as well as South Korea’s 4-H and BFE, States’ 4-H partner organizations in those countries, on the list of students who need host families for States’ 4-H AYP exchanges. At least one agent in counties with affected participants have been copied on emails as changes have occurred. See below for details on changes in each part of Kansas exchanges.
Outbound Exchanges through States’ 4-H: In February 4-H participants and their families were notified that decisions had been delayed on whether to proceed with outbound exchanges to Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Norway, Costa Rica and Norway in 2020. Purchases of non-refundable airline tickets would be held off until at least mid-March. Fees collected with applications due December 1 and second payments due February 1 would be refunded upon request or after a final decision was made. The decision was later delayed until April. Participants and their families were informed that all summer exchanged had been suspended April 1. On April 3 they received a message explaining how fees paid to States’ 4-H would be refunded.
Inbound Exchange hosting through States’ 4-H: Coordinator for exchanges with Costa Rica Mary Kay Munson accepted and vetted two applicant families and submitted them to States’ 4-H before the deadline March 1. The Costa Rican 4-S program had not submitted applicants to match with families from across the nation, so no further action had been taken before the March 31 announcement that Inbound programs were cancelled. The two families who applied to host Costa Ricans were informed of the program suspension April 1. Rose Scott, program coordinator for Japan Summer Inbound Exchanges began recruiting host families for those youth after applications arrived in late February. She notified those who had been recruited by April 1 of the program suspension.
IFYE Outbound and Inbound Exchanges: IFYE U.S.A. notified Kansas coordinators April 8 that both Outbound and Inbound exchanges have been suspended by the IFYE Association Board of Directors. In the preceding month the national coordinator had informed participants and state coordinators that some partner countries had cancelled exchanges for 2020 and postponed the decision for the U.S. while communicating with other country coordinators and assessing the COVID-19 impact.