Overton 4-H Offering Japanese Visit

The Overton County 4-H Youth Development Program is offering local youth a unique international experience, taking kids to Japan next summer.

Overton County UT Extension Agent Nicole Bettencourt said the program will allow kids to stay with a host family for four to eight weeks and experience what daily life is like in Japan. Bettencourt said kids who participate in the program will learn a valuable life lesson.

“They learn that it’s not all about them,” Bettencourt said. “It’s important that we recognize our differences and also appreciate other’s differences and that’s why I would recommend youth being involved in a program even if it’s 4-H in general.”

Bettencourt said kids from the ages 12-18 will learn things such as farming, fishing, and even parts of the Japanese language. Bettencourt said the deadline for signups is December 1.

“Their goal is to live alongside the family and have similar responsibilities that they would at home,” Bettencourt said. “But to just fully be with that family while they are there and just learn from their daily activities.”

Bettencourt said the Japanese exchange program was nonexistent for many years until recently brought back a few years ago by Tennessee 4-H.

“I think this was the third summer of them hosting Japanese people,” Bettencourt said. “And then the last two summers we have sent youth from across the state of Tennessee to Japan.”

Bettencourt said some parents may be concerned about sending their kids across the world. Bettencourt ensured that the host families have gone through extensive background checks and training. Bettencourt said parents do have to pay for the travel expenses for their child.

For more information contact the Overton County UT Extension Office.