Australia International Exchange

4-H teen leaders and older youth share your summer
with a family in the "Land Down Under"!

Fact Sheet - An overview of the Ambassador to Australia Exchange Program

Video from a Former Participant

What is the 4-H International Australia Exchange?

• The program runs from June 17 to July 16, 2009.
• The in-Australia Program “Exchange Network” is coordinated by a Minnesota 4-H alumna who resides in Australia.
• The coordinator in Australia will select host families and make final 4-H delegate host family assignments.
• An Adult Advisor will accompany the delegates and will live in the same state of Australia where youth are assigned.
• Transportation to and from Australia will be on a commercial airline.
• The delegates will spend 1-2 days in the Melbourne area for orientation and sightseeing and a 3-4 day debriefing and sightseeing session in Sydney before returning to the USA.
• We reserve the right to cancel this trip with full refund if there is insufficient participation.

This Exchange Can Offer You:

• The joy of living with an Australian host family for three weeks in the “Land Down Under.” Most participants enjoy a farm experience and participate in hands-on experience working side-by-side with farm family.
• A method of learning another culture and life-style.
• A chance to discuss with peers of another culture issues of the day.
• The opportunity to develop long-lasting friendships, to become better informed on global issues and to better know and understand yourself.

Who Can Go?

• Youth who are 16-19 years of age at the time of the exchange.
• 4-H’ers must be enrolled in 4-H by January 1 the year of the trip.
• Youth who agree to do some serious preparation, including studying the country and its culture and attending an orientation in the spring, and who are willing to participate fully and wholeheartedly in the total planned experience.
• Youth who are mature, ready and eager to explore, learn, and have a new experience.

Costs?

Delegates are responsible for all costs. A Fund-Raiser Guide is available as a resource.

Total cost is dependent upon the cost of transportation and the value of the U.S. and Australian dollars at the time of invoicing. If we must increase the cost, or if it can be lowered, delegates will be notified immediately.

The estimated amount is approximately $4,000 - $4,750. This covers pre-departure orientation, information on Australia, health/medical insurance, round trip airfare from California to Australia, overnight stay in Los Angeles the night before departure, travel and other costs in Australia, a visit to Melbourne, a visit to Sydney, a portion of the working expenses of the adult advisor(s), and a portion of administrative costs.

Additional costs to be paid by each delegate will include:

• medical examinations and inoculationsas per physician requirements
• passport, passport photos, birth certificate
• travel to and from the spring orientation
• small, inexpensive gifts for host family
• spending money and all other personal items
• meals in Sydney and Melbourne 

2009 Ambassador to Australia Application Packet
Open Letter to Interested 4-H Members and Volunteer Leaders
Australia Application (Word) - Application due to State 4-H Office by January 16, 2009.
Code of Conduct - (Word)
Medical Form - (Word)
Medical Release - (Word)
Delegate Reference Form - (Word)
Travel Permission - (Word)
Outbound Scholarship Application - (Word)
Information about Culture Project - (Word)