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Have you ever considered hosting a foreign exchange student?

Youth For Understanding (YFU) is a non-profit international educational organization with programs in 64 countries. Since 1951, it is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most respected exchange organizations. They are currently accepting applications for host families for the spring of 2012.

I recently became a volunteer with YFU for two reasons: One, for some time my 13 year old son has informed me about his desire to live in another country. He wants to go to either France or Sweden, although I think his two years of French will come in a little more handy….. in France. Second, my brother Ben was a foreign exchange student with YFU back in 1979 where he chose to live in Finland for the summer. He returned home a different, more mature person after his experience. “It was great fun to learn about other cultures,” he said. “There is a great deal of xenophobia in this country that would be alleviated by exchange programs.” He still keeps in touch with his family from Finland, and years after his exchange, his “brother” came and visited us along with his new wife.

YFU needs more families to host exchange students.

There are teens from all over the world that would love to live and study in our country. Hosting an exchange student is an enriching experience for you and the entire family. By opening your home and heart to a student from overseas, you and your family will gain a new global perspective, many memories, and – quite possibly – a new family member for life!

YFU has 60 countries a student can choose from

There are perhaps as many reasons to host a YFU student as there are families and students participating in YFU exchanges each year. Hosting is something that will better connect your family to the world in which we live.

Host families have many different faces, and are all part of the American experience. Whether or not you have children, you can be a host family. If you and your family is willing to open yourselves to new experiences, share your lives with a fascinating teenager from a foreign land, and provide guidance, love and support to a young person who is beginning their journey into adulthood, then you too will be a great host family.

Examples of YFU USA Host Families

Single adults
Working parents
Single parents
Same sex couples
Couples without children
Couples with children (of any age)
Adoptive parents
Empty nesters
Military families

Providing for an Exchange Student

Hosting is about sharing your version of the American lifestyle with a new exchange son or daughter. As a host family, you’ll give your student a caring, supportive, and warm family life. When you volunteer to host an exchange student, you agree to:

Welcome your new son or daughter as a member of your family
Be interested in teenagers/international students and have realistic expectations of what life with a teenager is like
Attend YFU orientation events, read our preparation materials, and maintain regular contact with your local volunteer
Help your student adapt to your family and to U.S. life and culture
Offer an emotionally supportive environment as the student goes through his or her adjustment process
Be able to provide for an additional member of the family including a separate bed, suitable study area and three meals per day
Familiarize your student with your hometown and promote participation in school and community events
Understand YFU policies and encourage your student to adhere to those policies

Typical YFU Students are:

From one of 60 countries.
Proficient speakers of English
Eager to learn about your family
Medically insured and have their own spending money.
Able to share a room with another host sibling.
Sure to become an integral part of your family.

YFU Provides:

Various orientations throughout the exchange year
Local support volunteers
24-hour emergency support

If you or anyone you know would like to host a student, or is interested in becoming a foreign exchange student themselves, please contact me as well as visit the YFU website at http://yfuusa.org/