University of Wisconsin - Extension

Kim Kranz, a McFarland High School junior, says her two months in

Japan was the best possible way she could have spent her summer

vacation. An active 4-H member, Kim made the trip through the 4-H

international program known as LABO.

"I always wanted to be an exchange student," Kim said. "This

experience was really good for me. I learned a lot from it and grew

up as a person." Kim worked hard to make her dream a reality, raising

$2,000 toward the $3,600 cost of the trip by asking local businesses

and organizations to sponsor her and by saving money from her work as

a baby-sitter.

Kim lived with two host families, one in a Tokyo suburb and another

in a small town in the south of Japan.

These were two very different experiences, she said of the contrast

between bustling Tokyo and the more laid-back lifestyle in a less

urban area. "I realized you can't generalize about any culture."

Kim said she became close with both her host families and plans to

stay in touch with them. She spent three weeks in a Japanese

language school and learned to prepare Japanese foods from her host

parents. She also had opportunities to tour temples, attend a Kabuki

theater, and experience daily life in Japan. Now she is busy

preparing a slide show to share with the organizations and businesses

who helped sponsor her trip and with other students in her school.

4-H International Programs offer experiences ranging from month-long

stays in Japan, Australia, Finland, or Mexico to 3-6 month programs

in a variety of countries and settings. Outbound programs are

available to 4-H members, leaders and alumni, ages 14 to 30.

Chaperone positions are also available with several of our programs.

Participants have an opportunity to invest in their future before

family and career commitments make it difficult to travel. Our

programs provide young people with the opportunity to learn about and

participate first hand in another country by living with a host

family. International experiences greatly enhance an individual's

knowledge, employability, and skills. In addition, this program gives

participants the opportunity to build strong communications skills.

Applications and additional information about 4-H International

Programs are available through your county University of

Wisconsin-Extension office or from the Wisconsin 4-H International

Programs Office, 436 Lowell Hall, 610 Langdon Street, Madison WI

53703, (608) 262-2491.