Cultural Immersion Projects
The best way to understand a different culture is to immerse yourself in it! Ohio 4-H has several cultural immersion project opportunities for teens. Each location has unique opportunities for learning, but in all experiences teens will participate in service-learning, individual and group reflections, and other cross-cultural experiences that aim to develop their understanding of the culture.
Urban Immersion (Washington D.C.)
Cultural Immersion (Puerto Rico)
Global Immersion (Greece)
Urban Immersion (Washington D.C.)
The Urban Immersion Project is a 4-H initiative that combines cross-cultural learning, teamwork, and service-learning in the urban environment of Washington, DC.
Curious about this experience? Review the Benefits of Urban Immersion Experiences for Rural and Suburban Teens to learn more!
Teens ages 15-18 are eligible for this 4-day service-learning experience that will build skills and abilities to prepare youth for success in a diverse workplace as well as build a cultural understanding of those who are different. This experience will not be about shopping or sightseeing, although we will visit some monuments and historic sites.
The 4-H Educator leading this experience will contact all teen applicants to complete an additional Zoom video/phone interview before selection.
Program Components
• Diversity and the Urban Experience
• Cooking in Food Groups
• Service Projects
• Ethnic Food Night
• City Scavenger Hunt
• Exploring Issues of Homelessness
• DC Monument Night Tour
• Metro Challenge
Who: Ohio 4-H teens ages 15-18 and still in high school (by the date of the trip)
Where: Washington, DC
When: Thursday (6 am), September 18th – Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Cost: $250 (limited scholarship opportunities available)
APPLY: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6QX2SYim38bKTHM
Questions about this experience? Contact Steve Brady (brady.111@osu.edu or 513.695.1311)
Cultural Immersion (Puerto Rico)
Seek understanding of a different culture by applying to be part of the 4-H Cultural Immersion Project (CIP) experience in Puerto Rico! You will build multicultural skills and understanding, as well as an increased ability to communicate in the increasingly diverse society that we live in. You will experience both the Old San Juan urban area as well as life in the remote mountain town of Castañer. The group also be working with Puerto Rican youth in joint service projects and leading teambuilding activities for students at University Gardens High School.
Curious about this experience? Review the Benefits of Cultural Immersion Experiences for Rural and Suburban Teens to learn more!
Who: Ohio 4-H teens ages 15-18 (by the date of the trip and still in high school)
Where: Puerto Rico (San Juan and the mountain village of Castañer)
When: Tuesday, November 25 - Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Cost: estimated to be $1,500 (includes airfare, ground transportation, most meals, lodging, and program fees)
Nomination Deadline: May 1
APPLY: Interested teens must be nominated by a county 4-H professional. If interested in attending, reach out to your county 4-H professional to submit a nomination on your behalf by May 1. Those who are nominated will be asked to complete a short video application (due May 31) and follow up interviews will be scheduled for select applicants. Selected participants will be notified in late July 2025.
Questions about this experience? Contact Steve Brady (brady.111@osu.edu or 513.695.1311)
Global Immersion (Greece)
The Global Immersion Project allows teens to engage in a cross-cultural and agricultural career field exploration program about ag careers, cross-cultural interactions, workforce preparation, and leadership skills. Participants will engage in a variety of educational classroom and field activities, including sensory analysis workshops with products such as feta cheese, honey, and olive oil. They will tour the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, including its experimental farms and research centers. Teens will be part of a “Work Internship” with AFS high school students working in cohorts focused on different program units that include: Animal and Plant Production, Food Science & Technology, and more. Youth will also participate in a cross-cultural and agricultural career field exploration program designed to help youth learn about careers in agriculture, cross-cultural interactions, workforce preparation and leadership skills.
In addition, youth will help facilitate teambuilding and problem-solving activities through a Leadership Workshop with Greek high school and Jr. high students. By engaging with these students, the teen leaders will expand their leadership skill development and gain insights into teaching an international audience.
Two off-site cultural experiences include an overnight experience in the historical town of Xanthi. Youth will have the opportunity Kayak and experience the beautiful landscape. There will also be a visit to UNESCO World Heritage site Meteora, which features monasteries built in the 11th century atop of limestone pillars. A Greek cooking class, city history tour, and local farmers market activity are included.
More information about the history of the American Farm School: https://www.greece-is.com/the-american-farm-school-21st-century-farming/
Who: Ohio 4-H teens ages 15-18 (Teens are nominated by Ohio 4-H Professionals)
Where: Thessaloniki, Greece (American Farm School)
When: April 19-30, 2026
Cost: estimated to be $3,000 (Includes airfare, most meals, lodging, and ground transportation)
Participant Selection Criteria: Ohio 4-H Professionals can nominate youth from their county to complete the short video application. Final selection will be based on geographic characteristics and the below criteria:
- Have an interest in pursuing a career in agriculture.
- Can embrace unique and different cultures beyond their local communities.
- Willing to share their experiences through presentations, newsletters, etc. at the local and state level.
- A good representation of the local 4-H program.
Nomination Deadline: October 1, 2025 (Teens must be nominated by Ohio 4-H Professionals)
After the nomination deadline, those nominated will be contacted by the team leading the trip for additional application requirements.
Reach out to your county 4-H professional to be nominated by the deadline.
Questions about this experience? Contact Steve Brady (brady.111@osu.edu)