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FINLAND—Summer Hosting Program

The focus of the 4-H Finland Exchange is to build friendships between youth and families of different cultures and provide both with an educational experience that will better prepare them for life in a global society. 

The Finnish Delegates

Delegates range in age from 15-18.  They are recruited in Finland through the Finnish 4H Federation (Suomen 4H-Liitto).  Delegates are members of their 4H program.  The Finnish 4H Federation consists of 3,000 4H clubs from all over Finland representing 70,000 members between 8 and 28 years of age.  The Finnish 4H Federation offers a wide range of international opportunities.  4H members can take part in exchange programs, camps, courses, development projects and correspondence. The delegates visit Oregon to experience everyday American family life. The students are not here as tourists, but to live with your family and participate in normal family activities.

The Host Families

The major qualification for a host family is enthusiasm and a willingness to open your home and hearts. Families can live in urban or rural communities and have a variety of different interests and backgrounds. You don't need a large house, or even a separate bedroom to be a host. In fact, it is best if the youth share a room. Host families do not need to plan special activities or incur extra expenses. Host families just need to include their new family member in their regular activities, including family trips and outings, sporting events, and visiting friends and relatives, even errands and chores.

Host families find that this program benefits both the delegate they are hosting and their own family. Hosting provides your family with the opportunity to:

  • Get to know a person from another culture and create a lifelong family friendship
  • Improve your family's understanding of another culture and language
  • Learn more about our own culture to share with the hosted youth
  • Increase family togetherness through planning for the experience
  • Meet and share with other families in the community

The 4-H Finnish Exchange Program provides support to prepare host families and works with them during the visit. This includes:

  • An orientation program at the local level
  • A Host Family Handbook
  • The opportunity to exchange letters with the exchange student and their parents before they arrive
  • Local contact people to answer questions and help during the exchange

How to Participate

Any family with a child between the ages of 14–18 can apply to host a delegate.

A volunteer coordinator will arrange a home visit and interview to discuss host family interests and expectations and program requirements.

References are required. Background checks will be conducted on all individuals, age 18 or older, residing in the host family home during the time the delegate is in Oregon

Host families are chosen based on the program's ability to make a good match between family and student, adequate family facilities for hosted youth, and the willingness of the whole family to participate in the experience and follow program guidelines. All matches for this program are made at the national level.

Host family application materials MUST be received in the State 4-H Office by February 15, 2012.

Additional Information for County Coordinators