Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
7/11/00
- Contacts:
- Brenda Allen, State 4-H Youth Program, (515) 294-1567, bsallen@iastate.edu
- Tracy S. Petersen, Extension Communication Systems, (515) 294-5672, tracyp@iastate.edu
Polk County 4-H Family Welcomes Exchange Student from Costa Rica
Ames, Iowa -- Yazmin Mary Mora, a 20-year-old exchange student from Costa Rica in the International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) representative program, will visit Clive Aug. 13 through Sept. 9. She will stay with Scott and Jennifer Erickson and their children Emily, 4, and Anna, 2. This is the second time the Ericksons have been a host family in the IFYE program.
"Scott has been an exchange student, and we believe this a great way to share our home and give someone a chance to see Iowa," Jennifer Erickson said. "We believe this exchange can help us understand another culture better and introduce our children to the world other than what we know."
Mora will visit four host families between July 1 and Sept. 9. She will stay with families in Pocahontas and Boone counties before visiting Polk County. After her stay in Iowa, she will visit host families in Tennessee.
IFYE program participants visit the United States from Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa to live and work with several host families for three to six months. Participants are expected to participate in daily American life. They hope to interact with host families, community organizations and 4-H groups while in the United States.
"Being a host family gives you the opportunity to learn about another culture without leaving Iowa," said Brenda Allen, state 4-H youth program specialist. "It also gives families the opportunity to grow together as they share a part of their lives with someone new."
For more information about IFYE and future host opportunities, contact your county extension office or Brenda Allen at the state ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development office at (515) 294-1567.
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A downloadable photo is available at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2000/jul00/jul0002photo.html
Photo caption: Yazmin Mary Mora
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.