Contact: Stephanie Davison, International Programs Coordinator, Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development, (406) 994-3502, sdavison@montana.edu

BOZEMAN - What do castles and chickens, Belfast and barley have in common? All of them are things a participant of The Montana 4-H International Exchange Programs might experience.

Since 1948, Montana has sent hundreds of young adults to all parts of the world for 3-6 month exchanges. The 4-H programs are distinctive because participants stay with a series of host families. They live with and work alongside their host parents and siblings to ready chickens for market or harvest barley. In addition to studying farming and ranching practices in other countries, participants learn the foreign culture by experiencing it.

The International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) is one of the opportunities available to 19-30 year old former 4-H members. Delegates have visited castles in Austria, saunas in Finland and gardens in Japan to name a few. They have climbed mountains, gone pheasant hunting and sold honey at market. And, they have made lifelong friends.

The IFYE program begins in mid-June, with a national orientation, and continues for six weeks, three or six months. Applicants who are accepted into the program receive financial assistance from the Montana 4-H Foundation and the IFYE Endowment. After returning home, participants get to share their experiences by presenting to schools, clubs and other community organizations throughout Montana.

For younger 4-H members (12-19), there are exchanges to Japan, Australia and Finland. Participating youth are immersed in other cultures for one summer month. Chaperones accompany the youth to their destination country and then split off to their respective host families, reuniting as a group prior to their return to America. This unique exchange gives kids an in-depth understanding of other cultures, something that most tourists never experience. Travel dates vary by program and some financial assistance is available.

If the chickens in your own backyard are keeping you busy, but you want to know more about castles, consider hosting a foreign youth next summer. Every year, Montana 4-H families open their homes and hearts to host 25-40 youth from countries all over the world.