Impact of Yearlong 4-H Japanese Internship Experience on United States Participants

Abstract

The importance of cultural understanding, intercultural communication skills, and foreign language ability is being echoed from a variety of different platforms including the business, governmental, and educational arenas. For the past 15 years, the States’ 4-H International Programs Committee has collaborated with Japanese youth development organizations to provide year-long internship experiences for young adults who have previously participated in the 4-H Program. Using survey research, this descriptive study was conducted to explore the benefits of the internship program on the lives and career choices of the former interns. Among the many benefits described by the former interns, gains in personal growth were clearly expressed. Increased self-confidence, flexibility, tolerance and adaptability were evident. Values learned by the interns are being passed on to their children. Recommendations to strengthen the internship program included a more strategic use of former interns in preparing new interns for their positions.