4-H Year Long Exchange Host Families Needed

 SEEKING HOST FAMILIES FOR YEAR-LONG 4-H EXCHANGE STUDENTS!

Questions - please contact Caitlin Clineff:  nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu

North Carolina 4-H is looking for four families to host Japanese exchange students for the 2026-2027 school year (August 2026 to June 2027). The students are very excited to live with American families and attend high school in the US. Many of them are especially excited to experience holidays like Halloween and Christmas, and take part in American school events like homecoming and prom. Families do not need to have children of a certain age to be eligible to host! 

We will host an information and Q&A session for the Academic Year-long Program on Thursday, Feb 5, from 7:00-8:00pm. Please register to receive the Zoom link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/meeting/register/udgXX1o-RlyAwf2jmUj-Ug

Save the email that is sent from Zoom after you register, as this will be your Zoom link.

The Ideal Host Family... 

• Has a genuine interest in hosting a teenager from another culture

• Has the emotional and financial resources to accept a teenager into their home 

• Is able to provide three meals a day and a private bedroom or shared room with a child of same gender and similar age

• Is able to provide an opportunity to experience life as a member of the family 

• Wants to involve the student in family and community activities 

• Is willing to monitor the student’s school progress and help with homework as needed

• Will offer guidance to the student in budgeting and spending money 

• Is willing to help the student with transportation for school and extracurricular activities (students are not permitted to drive, but may ride the bus)

The students will have their own medical insurance and spending money for personal and school expenses. Host families are volunteers and do not receive a stipend. 

Host families are able to choose a student from the national pool who best fits in with their family. The student bios will be released later this month! If you are interested in learning more or potentially hosting one of these students, please contact Caitlin Clineff at NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu. Students are assigned to host families on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Applications will be accepted until March 31 or until all students are placed. HOWEVER, please be aware that some school districts have much earlier deadlines, especially in urban areas. For your best chances of being able to host, please let us know you are interested as early as possible! There is no commitment until the entire screening and matching process is complete. 

To apply, contact Caitlin Clineff at NC4-Hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu or visit https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/106211-States-4-H-International-Exchange. Host family selection is subject to the student’s acceptance in a local public high school, completion of the online application, an in-home interview, background checks, and delegate availability. We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in this incredible life-changing experience!

Caitlin Clineff

nc4-hinternationalprogram@ncsu.edu