Support for YFU Programs

Support Provided for YFU Participants

Youth For Understanding provides its students, their natural and host families, and volunteers with orientations and printed materials designed to help with planning and preparation for, participation in, and support of the exchange experience.

Around the world, students and adults are provided with orientation services designed to help participants receive the greatest benefit from the exchange experience. These orientations include large- and small-group sessions involving discussions, lectures, brainstorming, question and answer periods, and role-play exercises. They are conducted by trained volunteers, YFU staff, and current and former program participants.

Student travel arrangements are made by YFU between the 'gateway city' in the student's home country and the host family in their host country. Travel assistance is provided for students in most major airports.

YFU provides support services for students with specific adjustment difficulties as well as support host family members. In selected countries, culture and language training is included for students upon their arrival. YFU frequently offers support for students after they return to their home country following their exchange experience.

Host families are given information about their students which may include information about the student's home country. Volunteers monitor host families and students throughout the exchange experience and are available for consultation on request.

YFU has a network of trained and committed volunteers throughout participating countries to monitor student placement and progress. In countries with fewer volunteers and fewer student participants, YFU will provide a support system which is more centralized than it is in countries with a broader volunteer network and larger numbers of student participants. YFU offers on-going training opportunities for its volunteers.