Virginia 4-H

4-H Japanese High School Exchange Program

The Oregon 4-H Japanese High School Exchange Program offers Virginia families the opportunity to develop cross-cultural understanding by hosting a Japanese high school student through a 10- month homestay.

Most Japanese students arrive in late July, early August to begin preparation for the school year. During the school year the Japanese students live with their host family, attend the local high school, and participate in regular family and school activities. Students return to Japan in late June after the school year is completed.

The responsibilities of the host family include:

  • Providing a home and family atmosphere for the Japanese student by treating them like a son/daughter/brother/sister.
  • Providing a room and meals (including school lunches) to the Japanese student
  • Assisting with budget planning and financial arrangements. Japanese students are responsible for their own expenses beyond daily meals and family trips.
  • Helping with schoolwork, parent-teacher conferences, selecting classes, school registration etc. Tutors will be hired for individual students as needed.
  • Helping to maintain communication between the student, his or her family, the Japanese organization, and the State Coordinator.

Host family selection begins in the winter for the following school year and is based on the family's ability to provide a safe, comfortable, and stable home for the Japanese student and the space availability of the local high school.

More information is available through: