It was the summer of 2019 when I was given the opportunity to study abroad in Hiroshima. I still remember the sound of the cicadas as well as the memories and friendships I made during my stay. The bonds that I’ve forged with my host family and friends are irreplaceable, and I’m extremely grateful to have been able to meet them all. After going on this exchange, I’ve become more motivated than ever to become more proficient in Japanese and want to one day return to Japan to see my host family. I highly encourage anyone interested in studying abroad to do so. It has allowed me to become more confident in myself and helped broadened my world views. Overall, I’d say that I came out of my exchange experience as a better person and I think anyone that studies abroad has the potential to grow. Studying abroad in a completely new country can seem intimidating, but once you’ve made the decision to go you won’t regret it.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I’d love to help out and make the process a little bit easier!

My name is Julie, and I took a gap year after high school to study in the Czech Republic. I lived with a wonderful host family (mom, dad, sister, brother, and grandmother) and attended a local school. I also played my clarinet with my school’s choir and took ballroom dance lessons. During my ten months abroad, I learned so much – about myself and my home and host countries. My exchange was the best year of my life so far, and I can’t wait for you to have that experience as well! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns – I’m happy to help!

It all came down to August of 2018, the month I’ve been waiting for months after I got my acceptance letter. I was ecstatic to finally to depart to one of the countries I’ve always wanted to go to and live there for a whole year! It was honestly a surreal experience when I first landed to Germany as it was a lot to take in that I was finally here. My exchange to Germany was not only a fantastic year that changed me forever, but it also shaped my identity and help me envision what my role was in this world. After living in the countryside for the first time, with a family that spoke very little English and went to a school where they had never received an exchange student, I can definitely say that I was ingrained in the German culture and lifestyle. I’ve made lasting friendships with my friends at school and also with my fellow Americans who participated in the same program as I did (CBYX). I can assure you that any exchange program you participate in will definitely have an impact on you and will be something that you will never forget. Feel free to ask any questions about Germany, the CBYX program or any question about being an exchange student!

Spending a semester in Sweden during my junior year of high school was more rewarding than I ever could have imagined. I not only acquired a new language and new worldview, but also a new set of friends and family and a greater understanding of empathy and hard work. I lived with two wonderful host mothers (and two equally wonderful host dogs) in the town of Gnesta, just southwest of Stockholm. My favorite activities included meeting new people, playing piano with the local “culture school,” and exploring downtown Stockholm. YFU was friendly and helpful throughout the entire process, and I would encourage anybody interested in studying abroad to go for it! I’d love to talk to you about any questions or concerns you might have.

My junior year of high school I packed my bags and left for ten months in Verona, Italy. I lived in a beautiful classic Italian town of two thousand people among the vineyards and commuted every day into the city for school. My days were filled with exploring cathedrals, ancient roman ruins and falling in love each day more and more with my new home. Living in the countryside I also had time to hike and explore the rolling hills draped with vineyard after vineyard. My host family became an extension of my natural family and I formed countless other relationships with the people I met both in school and on the street. Sometimes it was a challenge, but by the end, I didn’t want to go home. There was a moment before boarding my plane in which I contemplated running off, hopping on a train and disappearing into the wind. I knew exactly which bus to catch, which train to take and how to assimilate wherever I ended up. Studying abroad gave me this knowledge and much more. I learned to be independent and to take risks, not to mention a second language. To say the least, this experience was life changing and I will never forget my time abroad.

Though it was short, my time spent in Okinawa, Japan through Youth For Understanding was transformational. I formed bonds with all sorts of people, experienced an assortment of new things, and ultimately learned that communication and understanding goes beyond words. To be an exchange student is an inimitable experience I encourage everyone to participate in. Youth For Understanding was an outstanding organization with a well planned, supportive, and high quality exchange. I went into the exchange with a strong passion for Okinawa and left with a passion even stronger. Please know you are more than welcome to email me any questions. 

I studied abroad with YFU for one exchange year(2014-2015) as a high school student in United States.It was one of the best year in my life. It was an opportunity for me to learn and experience, as well as to know myself better. Sharing with the host family and making friends with people all around the world was the best part. It’s really surprising how fast you get connected with these people and be a part of it. I’m so greateful to YFU for making me realize this wonderful experience, and of course YFU is the best! As an alumni I also look forward to see myself to share these amazing experience and to encourage everyone to enjoy their fun year with YFU and to be a part of it as well.

I spent 6 weeks in Finland as part of the Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange (FUSYE) scholarship in summer 2013. It was an absolutely amazing experience that I will never forget. I lived in a small town called Piikkiö, right outside of a larger city, Turku. My host parents and siblings were so welcoming and truly made me feel like part of the family. I would recommend an exchange program to anyone who is considering it. It will change your life and make you think differently about yourself and the world around you. You’ll gain a second home and another family, which is something you’ll never forget. I’m happy to answer all of your questions and concerns!      

Many people ask me: Why Latvia? Honestly, I still don’t know the answer, but I am so glad I made that choice! I lived with a host family (mom, dad, and sister) and attended a local music school. I joined a choir, started a band, and was on national television twice! For not knowing a single word of the language, I somehow made it work; but there were definitely struggles along the way. Eastern Europe can be tricky, but by the end of the 11 months I found the sense of home in the country was far greater than all my original doubts. The friends are lifelong and the memories are forever. I would love to talk to you about studying abroad and answer any questions you have!

Being an exchange student was the most influential experience of my high school years.  I was placed in a small town in Tasmania, Australia with a very supportive host family.  Now that I have returned to America, I have two families – my natural family and my Australian family. I encourage high school students to exchange to experience a new piece of the world through an optimal interactive learning model.  Now, I am double majoring in mathematics and sociology and hope to work in education advocacy for under privileged students.

I loved every minute of my exchange in Thailand while it was happening, but it was not until I got home that I realized what a great impact it had on my life. The experience has guided my academic and professional endeavors and has left me with friends and family that will last a lifetime. I speak with my family from Thailand at least once a week and have reunited with them three times since my exchange.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions. I encourage everyone to look into an exchange in Thailand! 

Studying abroad through YFU was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. At first, I didn’t want to leave my friends, family and life in the United States, but my parents were very encouraging and supportive. I gained so much from my year abroad, and at a young age. Since my year abroad, I’ve been able to use my experiences, my fluency in Spanish and my knowledge gained from all of my international friends in my every day life. I’m always encouraging peers to study abroad, travel (especially to Argentina), and studied abroad again in Thailand during college. Studying abroad with YFU was an unforgettable experience and I would strongly recommend it!!

The summer of ’08 was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life! YFU and Toyota Manufacturing blessed me, a small town girl from eastern Kentucky, with a rare opportunity to travel to and actually live in a foreign country. During that brief summer abroad, I tried new food dishes, exchanged ideas and opinions with my amazing host family, and explored new cities. I later went on to study Portuguese and return to Brazil for a year of study abroad in college. During graduate school, I collaborated with Brazilian public health researchers, and am now using those language and professional skills for work in other countries. The YFU program is much more than just an international trip…it is a chance to grow as person and can provide a springboard for future opportunities! 

Ecuador is amazing. I lived in a small city called Ibarra which is in the Sierra and 3 hours north of the capital Quito. During our year we went on trips to the coast, rainforest, and the Galapagos islands. When you make friends they will be friends for life! I have returned 6+ times since my exchange to visit and take part in many weddings and baptisms, and they always receive me and now my husband as well with open arms! Its amazing to see a country develop so much since the first time I arrived as an exchange student almost 10 years ago!

In early 1999, I began my study abroad experience by flying around the world to Tocumwal, New South Wales, Australia.  I went from my small town in northern Vermont to a rural 600 acre farm along the Murray River in Australia.  Those 6.5 months living with my host family permanently changed my life and I’m delighted to say that I visit them every few years.  They will always be my Aussie family.  I had a wonderful experience, both at home on the farm and during my schooling at Finley High School.  There were 5 other exchange students in our school and the teachers and students really made us feel welcome and special.  Everyone helped us settle in, choose the right classes, learn the rules, but most importantly, have a great study abroad experience.  I highly recommend studying abroad, especially to Australia, for anyone that is interested.  I have lifelong friends and wonderful memories from my time in Australia.

Hi! I’m Theresa, from the Midwest, USA, all my life, except for that year abroad to the Netherlands that changed my life and made me consider myself partly Dutch.  I stayed with a family in Sneek, Friesland, The Netherlands and went to school there in years 1973-4. I just visited my family there this past spring and have stayed in touch over the years. I started out my year in Belgium, since I’d studied French, but that family ultimately couldn’t continue having me stay there due to some unrelated issues.  It was hard to be uprooted in a foreign place, and be sent to another family in another country with a completely foreign language, but it turned out to be the most fantastic experience I could have had. It also taught me to be confident and to find poise and strengths within myself. I gained a world perspective, and maturity that helped me do well in college afterward. It was a life-changing, wonderful year.