Youth For Understanding (YFU)
Why choose Youth For Understanding (YFU)?
Youth For Understanding promotes intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through study exchanges for youth, families, and communities. Our global network, consisting of partners in more than 70 countries, is united by the belief that full cultural immersion is the best way to gain skills needed to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, interconnected, and competiti...
Youth For Understanding promotes intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through study exchanges for youth, families, and communities. Our global network, consisting of partners in more than 70 countries, is united by the belief that full cultural immersion is the best way to gain skills needed to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, interconnected, and competitive world. Our programs provide students with opportunities to discover a new place, learn a new language, meet the unexpected, and conquer the unknown.
Youth For Understanding (YFU) Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Summer in Rural Germany
by: Sandra Monk - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Japan | YFUI 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!
High school
by: Nour Mallek - TunisiaProgram: Study Abroad in Japan | YFUHi i'm Nour i am 15 i am a Tunisian girl At first i want to say that i wish that i get the chance to study in a developed country like Japan Since i was too young it was one of my dreams to study in this amazing country. For me it is a dream and i am still working to achieve it Second i am a student in the second level at high school i can speak 3 languages very well Arabic French and English and i am learning German and Korean (alone at home) i participated in scouting and in some clubs and i participated in Language learning institutions to learn more languages and to ameliorate language that i learn .i always try to be a social person and to practice in different events like Art and Cultural concerts like a program called lights camera learn and . I am good at different sports like running , basketball and handball. i am good student i always have good results ,i prefer Mathematics, Physics and english I wish that you accept me in this program of student exchange to get the opportunity to study in Japan . Thank you for your attention i hope that i get an answer soon
YFU blunders
by: Gregory Stachel - United StatesProgram: Study Abroad in Belgium | YFUBefore I review YFU Belgium (Walloonia and Brussels) I would first like to say that each country and region has its own YFU office and I am specifically review YFU Walloonia and Brussels. Every program has its positives and negatives. I'll start with the positives. This program creates a strong connection between the students studying abroad. Also, all of the administrative parts of studying abroad are handled very well by the program. There is also a fun trip to Paris and a couple of day trips. With that being said, the negatives of this program far outweigh the positives. The program is way overpriced ($10,000 compared to $5,000 of Rotary), the president of YFU Walloonia and Brussels is a very rude, inconsiderate man, and there is a major lack of vetting of the families. Also, they are consistently short of families. It created a few problems for me and a few other students in the program. If you plan on studying abroad, I highly suggest Rotary International and AFS. Both programs are cheaper, provide better family support, and include many more trips.
Youth For Understanding (YFU) Programs
Browse programs you might like
Come to the birthplace of manga, anime, origami, kimonos, and samurai, where you can learn firsthand about all these popular fixtures of Japanese...
Germany offers an exciting and diverse modern culture with history at every turn. Here, you will have a chance to find a wide variety of cultural...
The meeting point for a number of international organizations, including NATO and the European Union, Belgium is host to visitors and residents f...
The best way to get to know the land "Down Under" is to experience it firsthand. See signs along the roadside warning of a nearby kangaroo crossi...
Looking for the perfect combination of adventure and discovery this summer? YFU is excited to add to our long list of summer programs with fou...
Finland is home to both thousands of lakes and winter snow, represented by the blue and white colors of the Finnish flag. Popular among Finnish f...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Jamie Withem
Interviewed in 2024
Jamie is passionate about empowering students to learn abroad, and her relationship with YFU dates back to 1999! As an active part of the community, s...

Jamie Withem
Interviewed in 2024
What inspired you to travel abroad?
My first hosting experience was what everyone could want. Our German daughter fit into our family and brought so much joy. She gave me reasons to feel as though our family had been expanded, along with my heart.

Rachel Hahn
Interviewed in 2024
Rachel has worked in education for 15 years, helping students with University courses, and career path goals, and supporting study abroad students. Sh...

Rachel Hahn
Interviewed in 2024
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I enjoy learning and working in an international environment. You can never stay stagnant working with youth and international partners.