Help Supporting Student Exchange

Are you U.S. American?
And are you interested in other cultures? Love learning about European countries, Japanese pop culture or Chinese noodle soup?

In 2005/2006 I spent a year in Texas with the student exchange organisation YFU (Youth For Understanding). It is together with AFS one of the largest exchange organisations and for me, Texas has been a great experience in which I learnt not only a lot about American culture, but also a lot about myself.

Similarly, my family has been hosting two exchange students, each of them for a whole year. First it was Nino from Georgia (2005/2006), and then Akiko from Japan (2007/2008). We were very lucky to be "compatible" with them and we've grown to like them very much, and often write e-mails or exchanging Skype calls.

YFU relies on the generosity and love of families volunteering to open their homes to exchange students. Finding host families is the most challenging part of the program for most YFU offices, including YFU USA. This year, the challenge is especially difficult because of high gas and food prices and the effect of these increased costs to American families.

In other words: if you're U.S. American, YFU needs you!

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student from any country or from a specific country, contact the YFU USA office at:

Youth for Understanding USA
6400 Goldsboro Road
Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20817
Phone: (240) 235-2100
Fax: (240) 235-2104
e-mail: admissions@yfu.org
web: [link]