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4-H Polish Exchange Trip “Pilot Program”
Teens and young adults, at least 17 years of age as of January 1, 2008, from around Oregon are invited to apply to travel to Poland from June 19 to July 19, 2008. This exchange trip is coordinated by Michigan State University Extension, 4-H Youth Development Global and Cultural Programs in collaboration with the Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program. Oregon’s involvement is as a pilot program to gather information and insights related to making decisions for future development of an Oregon specific program with Poland.
Helping young people explore, appreciate, and value what people next door, across town and around the world have in common, and what makes them unique is critically important in society today. Individuals who travel to Poland this summer will have the chance to make life-long international friends as they live and explore Poland with a Polish host family and explore a topic of interest in Poland. Program participants will also be working with the Polish 4-H Program.
About the Program
Participants will fly in and out of Warsaw and will be placed throughout Poland with 4-H families; rural and urban opportunities are available.
Who: Teens and young adults, at least 17 years of age as of January 1, 2008
What: 4-H International Exchange Youth Development Program
Where: Poland
When: June 19 to July 19, 2008
Cost: Approximately $2,500.
- A deposit of $750 is due with the application on or before February 15, 2008;
- The amount will cover the cost of the flight, T-shirts for delegate and host youth, resource materials, insurance, and the orientation session.
- Scholarships are available to help cover some costs
To be eligible, participants and families are required to participate in an orientation session in the spring of 2008 and be willing to share 4-H skills with the Polish youth and bring back and share information on 4-H in Poland to groups in Oregon. The theme this year will be selected by participants. Think of a subject that interests you and learn about that in Poland. Web sites you can use are: www.gopoland.com
Today’s youth will compete globally -they will be working with people from other nations, making it necessary for a better understanding of different cultures. There is no better way to learn about people, culture and history than to experience it first
hand with an exciting stay with 4-H’ers. Polish 4-H’ers are waiting to share their
homes, families, culture, language, and much more with Michigan and Oregon 4-H’ers.
About Poland
The people of Poland number 38 million with 1.7 million living in Warsaw. The Polish language is virtually universal with the primary religion Roman Catholic. Twenty-one percent of the population is involved with agriculture. The area of Poland is 120,725 square miles, about the size of New Mexico. It is a country of diverse terrain of flat plains mountains in the south and the lake region on the northeast border. A new government was formed in 1991 allowing free elections and a free market. Many changes in Polish economics, industry, agriculture and government have come about since then. New buildings, advanced technology, new businesses, and a world market make modern Poland an emerging power in Europe. The Poles are descendants of a Slavic people. As a buffer between East and West, they have been invaded many times during times of turmoil in Europe. They have a very rich culture and have many architectural remnants from as far back as the 13th Century, such as castles, palaces, and manor houses.
In 1993, the Polish 4-H Foundation was created in Warsaw with the Michigan 4-H Foundation serving as its organizational partner. This relationship was designed to help foster 4-H youth development programming for Polish youth and to foster cultural sharing that can enhance programming in both countries.
Application Information
Application deadline is February 15, 2008 (MUST be postmarked by this date). Send to: Lillian Larwood, 4-H Specialist-World Citizenship, 105 Ballard Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3608.
Questions: Contact Lillian Larwood at 541-737-1316 or email at: Lillian.larwood@oregonstate.edu
