Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1988

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Roy R. Lessly

Committee Members

M. Ruth Henderson, Cecil E. Carter Jr

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between Tennessee 4-H/LABO host family characteristics and their reactions to selected exchange experiences and the host family's perceived level of satisfaction with the exchange experience.

Data were obtained from 204 families who hosted Japanese young people in the Tennessee 4-H/LABO exchange program from 1982 through 1987. Host family characteristics and their reactions to selected exchange experiences were compared with their perceived level of satisfaction.

The chi-square statistical test was used to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables with the .05 level of probability indicating significance.

Major findings were:

It was found that educational levels of host parents, their occupations, foreign travel experience and other personal characteristics of host families were not significantly related to the family's perceived level of satisfaction toward the experience.

Families who enjoyed "learning about Japan" or those having a "companion for their children" indicated a significantly higher level of satisfaction with the experience than those families who did not.

Language was perceived as a significant difficulty by host families and was the most frequently suggested area needing improvement.

A small number of host families experienced discipline problems during the experience. These difficulties with discipline were found to be significantly related to the host families' perceived level of satisfaction. Families reporting discipline problems were less likely to rate the experience as excellent.

The expectation and frequency with which families planned to correspond with their LABO delegate were significantly related to the host families' perceived level of satisfaction.

Over half of the host families indicated no interest in participating in another exchange program. This response was found to be significantly related to the year the family participated in the program. Families hosting delegates in 1986 and 1987 were more likely to be interested in other exchange programs than were families who had participated in the program in the four preceding years.

Host family interest in participating in other exchange programs was significantly related to: (1) their encounters with difficulties of discipline, (2) language difficulties, (3) the type of improvements suggested, and (4) the families' expected activity in future 4-H activities. Families who experienced difficulties with language or discipline were less likely to be interested in other exchange programs than those experiencing no difficulties in these areas. Host families who suggested the program be improved by making the experience longer or who indicated they planned to be more active in 4-H tended to be more interested in other exchange programs.

Implications and recommendations were also made.

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