Lucas Nugent and Herman Stephen have been selected to represent Tennessee 4-H as delegates in the States' 4-H International Exchange Program, an immersive cultural exchange that provides youth with a unique opportunity to experience daily life in Japan while living with a host family.
During the summer of 2026, Lucas and Herman will travel to Japan for a four-week homestay experience. Unlike traditional travel programs, the 4-H International Exchange focuses on cultural immersion, allowing participants to engage in everyday family life, community activities, and local traditions that most visitors never experience.
Through the program, delegates will build meaningful international friendships, develop leadership and communication skills, and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. The experience emphasizes global citizenship, personal growth, and youth leadership — core values of the 4-H program.
“Tennessee 4-H International Exchange Programs give young people the chance to step outside their comfort zones, learn firsthand about other cultures, and form lifelong connections,†said Steve Sutton, Tennessee 4-H exchange coordinator. “These delegates are excellent ambassadors for our communities and our state.â€
Participants are selected through a competitive application process that considers leadership ability, maturity, interest in cultural learning, and willingness to serve as a representative of Tennessee and the United States. Wilson County 4-H is so proud to have two delegates representing our county and the state in this program!
The 4-H program is the youth development component of the University of Tennessee Extension and is also the state’s largest youth organization. With more than 135,000 members statewide, 4-H is available to youth in every county in Tennessee.
About States' 4-H International Exchange Programs
States' 4-H International Exchange Programs connect youth from around the world with 4-H host families across the United States. Since 1972, these programs have been promoting cultural exchange and global citizenship, impacting tens of thousands of young people and host families around the world.
Provided by Tennessee 4-H Youth Development.
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