Program Details
- Location:
- Washington, United States
- Program Type:
- Study Abroad
- Degree Level:
- High School
- Term:
- Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer, Winter Semester
Program Overview
- Program Description:
Youth For Understanding students are offered the chance to learn new languages, experience another culture, make new friends and discover the world while living with a volunteer host family. Instead of experiencing a country as a tourist, YFU students are immersed within the culture.
More than 260,000 young people from more than 60 nations in Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa, and the Pacific have participated in YFU exchanges. Each exchange is coordinated by a worldwide network of national YFU organizations and supported by more than 4,400 trained and dedicated volunteers.
An investment in a student's education, at the very least: Profound educational experience, increased maturity, second language fluency, preferred college admissions, enhanced opportunities for the future and lifelong friendships.
- Setting Description:
- Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a network of interdependent, yet autonomous organizations committed tp advancing intercultural understanding, mutual respect and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families and communities. Make the world your home.
Additional Program Information
- Scholarships:
- Yes
- Scholarships Description:
- Through the generosity of numerous corporations, governments, foundations and individuals, YFU awards more than $2.3 million in partial or full study abroad scholarships annually.
Program Reviews
Overall Rating
Based on 1 Reviews
- A Spectacular Experience with YFU11/30/16
As a 17 year old in the suburbs of the Midwest, studying abroad seemed such a faraway and untouchable concept. It seemed that only adolescents in movies and TV shows went on exchanges. It wasn’t until my junior year in high school that the topic of
exchange was broached. My friends were looking into different study abroad programs for the summer. When I became more interested in going abroad, I had missed the deadline of the program all of my friends were applying to, so I went in search for another program. That is when I discovered the Youth for Understanding program. At first glance, the price tag for exchange seemed particularly steep and was admittedly discouraging, but upon closer inspection, I found numerous scholarships that I could apply for to cut the cost substantially. The application process was very straightforward and the questions were thought-provoking. As I moved on to the interview portion, I was ecstatic to find that it was more lax and non-pressuring than I was used to. This was foreign to me because many interviews that I’ve had before made sure that I knew it was a competition. Of course, in this circumstance, I was essentially competing with other students interested in going abroad, as well as the students hoping to receive a scholarship. However, my interview with a YFU volunteer was more of a conversation that gauged my possible success abroad. Through the period between my acceptance and getting on the plane, YFU guided me and my family through the preparation. I enjoyed the sectional orientation held by volunteers to help students going abroad in my area. I had the opportunity to meet several students whom were traveling to the same country as I and I learned some great skills to be successful abroad. I can honestly say that YFU fit me with the best family that I could have been placed with. Your host family is there to care for you and provide for all of your basic needs. Your placement can make or break your experience. As an only child, I worried about how I would be able to connect with my host siblings. I worried if I would like my host family and if they would like me. During my exchange, I learned that my worries were irrational. From day one, they made sure that I knew that I was welcome in their home. My host parent even reminded me of my natural parents, which kept me from feeling too homesick. So, why YFU? Personally, I describe my exchange as my true transition from childhood to adulthood. Abroad, I was more independent in the way that I made most of my own decisions. However, YFU always made sure that I always had resources to assist me. Exchange really makes you aware of how big the world truly is. I’ve learned so much about a culture different from my own. These experiences that I have had, thanks to the YFU program, are sure to stay with me throughout my lifetime.
read moreBottom Line:Yes, I would recommend this to a friend