Kentucky 4-H's mission is to help young people become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. In order to help meet these objectives in an increasingly global society, Lincoln County 4-H, in partnership with Scott County 4-H, created an international environmental citizenship project to aid members in their practice of leadership skills, responsibility, and problem solving. Youth involved in the program participated in intensive cultural diversity and inclusion programming, receiving more than six hours of educational programming from the WeConnect: Global Youth Citizen Curriculum from the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Youth also participated in several service-learning projects both locally and state-wide. Both 4-H groups partnered with EF (Education First) Tours in order to provide a culminating event in which youth traveled on a 9-day cultural immersion and service tour of the Dominican Republic. 

          While on tour, youth participated in service-learning projects at two Dominican Republic public schools, toured a family-run farm, learned about the culture and history of the indigenous people of the island, and experienced cultural immersion. After returning from the trip, youth were surveyed and reported the following information:

• Half of the youth had not previously traveled internationally and 30% had never traveled by air.  
• 100 % reported that participating in the program and trip helped increase their knowledge about the world and helped them gain a new perspective about a culture different than their own
• 83% improved their communication skills and gained a greater sense of life purpose as a result of the program
• 100% reported that the program and corresponding trip challenged them to open their minds to things that are new and different. 
• 100% have shared something they learned while traveling and plan to travel abroad again in the future.
• 83% of those who traveled said the trip changed the way they view the world
• 100 % would recommend traveling internationally with 4-H

          One youth who participated reported the following: 

“The opportunity I was given to travel to the Dominican Republic has opened my eyes to new cultures and the differences between others and my own culture. I loved meeting new people and trying new things. I am so grateful for the opportunities that were provided to me and would strongly recommend the trip to anyone else and plan to continue making trips like it.”