May 15, 2023
Kansas 4-H Looking for Families for Hosting IFYEs/Exchangees for Summer 2023
Have you ever wished you could experience daily life in another part of the world? Kansas 4-H International Exchange Programs offer the chance to do just that without leaving your home. Kansas 4-H will be hosting several IFYEs (International Four-H Youth Exchange) and other young adults in Kansas this summer. 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Kansas hosting IFYEs since the program began in 1948, after World War II, living the motto, “World Peace through Understanding.”
Kansas 4-H International Exchange Programs are offering IFYE hosting opportunities to about 12 families this summer. We need host families who would be willing to host a male or female young adult for three weeks. Any Kansas family may host since IFYEs/exchangees do not have to be matched by gender or ages of siblings. Even families with young children or no children may host. Empty nesters may also host. Participants are 100 percent medically covered with insurance and bring their own spending money.
Contact: To host a particular IFYE form the attached list or if you have further questions, please contact Chelsy Champlin, chelsycoen@gmail.com, or call/text, 785-248-6131, or Deryl Waldren, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, dwaldren@ksu.edu; or call 303-349-7403.
Benefits: Increase your family’s cross-cultural and global understanding, broaden family communication skills, make a new friend from another country, and have fun while learning about a new country in your own home.
How to apply: Families may now apply by visiting: https://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/host-an-inbound/ifye-inbound.html. Click on Host Family Resources and Host Family Application in the upper right corner. In addition, there may be an in-home interview conducted as well as background checks conducted for all adults living in the household.
What you do: The host family treats the IFYE as a family member (rather than a tourist/guest) and keep a “regular” family schedule. That could mean chores, fairs, camping, ballgames, etc…. very busy – or not so busy. It just depends on what your family likes to do! The focus is on everyday family life. Your IFYE/exchangee will have studied English in school and will speak conversational English. Families generally host for a three-week period, though some may only host for two weeks. See below in purple where families are needed to host. There is some flexibility on the start and stop dates when IFYEs/exchangees move from one host family to the next host family.
Please see the below attachment for a listing and time IFYEs and Kansas exchangees need host families for 2023. IFYEs are tentative and have not been fully confirmed for Kansas.
Name, Country, Gender, Age, Description, and Dates Needed
Gabriel N., Switzerland, Male, 31. Gabriel is an electrical project manager. He grew up on a 75-acre farm with 15 dairy cows, with fruit production and fruit sales. He likes to hike the mountains, enjoys the outdoors, crossfit, watching motorsport, and participating in wrestling competitions.
June 19-Sept. 7 (4 families needed). Flies into Wichita ICT Airport.
1. June 19 – July 9
2. July 9 – 30
3. July 30 – Aug. 20
4. Aug. 20- Sept. 7
(Sheny) Yun Hsuan Lai, Taiwan, Female, 21. Sheny is a student and has no farm experience but has Taiwan 4-H experience. Her older brother is the IFYE Director. She’s interested in youth development and learning about different 4-H projects and experiential learning. Sheny also likes dancing, listening to music, singing, cooking, baking, and handicrafts (sewing and knitting).
June 19-Sept. 7 (4 families needed). Flies into Wichita ICT Airport.
1. June 19 – July 9
2. July 9 – 30
3. July 30 – Aug. 20
4. Aug. 20- Sept. 7
Simeon B., Germany, Male, 20. Simeon will go to college and study agriculture in fall 2023. He lives on a fruit and chicken farm. He would like to live on a farm with animals, and experience (see) harvest and farms with different types of crops growing. Hobbies are fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping.
June 19-Sept. 7 (4 families needed). Flies into Wichita ICT Airport.
1. June 19 – July 9
2. July 9 – 30
3. July 30 – Aug. 20
4. Aug. 20- Sept. 7