Traveling Outbound
Many 4-H international exchange opportunities partner with the States’ 4-H International Exchange Program. States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs is a non-profit organization headquartered in Bellevue, WA. States’ 4-H is governed by a Board of Directors composed of 4-H Extension professionals across the US. The 4-H National Headquarters at NIFA has authorized States’ 4-H to use the 4-H name and emblem. States’ 4-H is granted complete listing by the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (CSIET) and is designated by the US Department of State as a sponsor of J-1 Secondary Student exchange programs.
Michigan 4-H members have opportunities through State’s 4-H International to travel for a Summer short term (4-8 weeks) or for an Academic year in a foreign country. Example of these countries are: Japan, Costa Rica, South Korea, Norway, Taiwan, or Argentina.
To be eligible to apply for a States' 4-H Outbound Program, applicants must:
- Be 12-18 years old at the time of travel.
- Be a lawful resident or citizen of the United States.
- Reside in one of the following states: AK, AZ, FL, ID, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MO, MT, NY, NC, OR, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Applications open in October for the next traveling year and close mid-December.
For more information visit: http://www.states4hexchange.org
To Apply visit: https://www.states4hexchange.org/apply/go-abroad/
Email: exchange@states4h.org
Contact the Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs Coordinator listed below for outbound travel and scholarship application information.
MSU Extension News Articles:
Michigan 4-H International Exchange Programs 50th anniversary partnering with States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs, November 7, 2024
Youth gain global citizen skills through 4-H exchange cultural immersion experience, November 21, 2023

For more information, contact:
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Janis Brinn
Youth Leadership, Civic and Cultural Engagement Educator
brinn@msu.edu
269-673-0370