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...
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 ...
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 tri...
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...
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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.