Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
6/2/00
Contacts:
Brenda Allen, State 4-H Youth Program, (515) 294-1567,
x1ballen@exnet.iastate.edu
Tracy S. Petersen, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5672, tracyp@iastate.edu
Pocahontas County Family Welcomes Norwegian Exchange Student
AMES, Iowa -- Guri Duserud, a 17-year-old exchange student from Norway will visit Laurens in July 1 to 26. She will stay with Steve and Ann Hersom and their three children: Calvin, 10, Carl, 8, and Madalyn, 3. This is the first time the Hersoms have been a host family in the USA-Norske 4-H Exchange Program. The program does not require host families to be involved in 4-H.
"I want to learn more about a different culture, language and 4-H in America and I would like to have a different vacation, too," Duserud said. The first-time foreign exchange student said she would like to experience American 4-H meetings and daily life. She has been a member of 4-H since 1992.
In the Norske 4-H Exchange Program, Norway and the United States exchange students in alternating years, said Brenda Allen, state program 4-H specialist. Iowa isn't always the host state; this summer 16 Norwegian students will visit Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. 4-H also offers exchange programs with Finland, Russia, Japan and Australia in its Midwest exchange program for teens.
"We feel this program is important because of the opportunities it provides Iowa families to learn about another culture," Allen said. "You also learn more about yourself when you share your culture with others."
For more information about this or other 4-H international programs, 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/jun00/jun0001_pocahontas.html
Photo caption:
Norwegian 4-H exchange student Guri Duserud will visit
Laurens, Iowa July 1 to 26.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.