IFYE - International 4-H Youth Exchange

Thirty eight years ago I was fortune enough to take part in an experience of a lifetime. I was selected to participate in the IFYE program. This program was run through the State Agriculture Extension Service and geared mostly to 4-Hers or Farm Youth. In fact, in the begining in 1948 the name was International Farm Youth Exchange. Through the past 60 years the program has changed, the leadership has changed, the selection process has changed but it still has the same motto - Peace Through Understanding.

Youth travel to another country, not always the country of their choosing, to live with rural families for a period of time that is usually around 6 months. The type of programs now vary so the length of time also varies. Although they don't always get to choose the country they go to I have found when they come home it has been an unbelievable experience and they wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Alumni groups meet annually and reinforce the experience, share their new experiences and help keep the program moving on. The experience of learning about another people by living and working with them as a family member in so many ways builds an understanding that can not be surpassed. Living and working with another people is the way you understand the way the economy, weather, family size, and production of the country affects who they are and who they become.

While exchangees live in another family, that family gets to know more about your country. I will always remember the Christmas dinner I attended with my host family in Tasmania, Australia. This was quite an experience for them also as the 21 year old daughter had just come to the United States to work in the Embassy for two years. I must admit I had done as their family did and had a couple glasses of beer with the meal. I say this because it probably gave me the courage to speak my peace about a subject that the Grandfather brought up. I don't even remember the topic but I know I was quite outspoken on it. When I went to say my good byes at the end of the afternoon, Grandpa said to me, "I don't worry about Kalee so much now, I always thought that you Americans didn't ever think for yourselves. You just let your government tell you what to think. Now that I have met you and you stood up for your believes I know that is not true." That conversation has stuck with me all these years. In little ways we make an impression - hopefully it is usually good.