I was a summer program exchange student to rural Germany in high school, in the summer between sophomore and junior years; I was 14.5 when I applied. I picked YFU as one of two exchange programs that operated in my school district in suburban Seattle, WA. I applied and listed four countries I would like to visit in an immersion program. After I applied, YFU contacted me and began providing support within the first week. I was asked to narrow my request to one country, and selected Germany, since I'd been studying German in H.S. for two years at that point.
After my application to Germany was accepted, the high level of support continued. I was given a full itinerary of the flight to Germany, given a list of packing ideas, given the opportunity to ask questions, and matched with an amazing family in rural Germany.
The trip itself was chaperoned and quite safe, even though we outbound students tended to get rowdy at times. :) I had one of the longest journeys as I had to fly cross-country to get to Germany, and then had to travel the furthest possible once in Germany, from the dispersal city in Hamburg to my host family near the border with Austria.
Again, the travel was chaperoned on the train and at the terminal train station. They didn't leave us out of their sight until a family member showed up to claim each of us.
My time in Germany was incredibly warm, welcoming, interesting, and flew by so fast. My host family are some of the most generous people I've ever met, and really helped me understand people who are different from me. On several facets, they and I are so different. But we really connected as humans trying out this type of immersive relationship for ourselves. I learned so much about human nature; why never to judge a book by its cover; how to agree to disagree on some stuff, more lessons on forgiveness, etc.
All along the way, YFU was in contact with me and making sure everything was going well. There were a couple exchange student meet-ups in the region and I got to reunite with some of the passengers on our initial flight.
The support and care continued after I got home, and I ended up immediately volunteering to meet exchange students coming in to Sea-Tac Airport and make sure they got their connecting flight or united with their host families in the Seattle area, at the age of 16.
I hope this review helps you make a decision to take the plunge and involve yourself in such a rewarding and mind-blowing experience. So many of the seeds of knowledge planted during my visit to Germany didn't germinate right away, but I am still reaping the harvest.
Thank you, YFU!
