Germany has a variety of cultural opportunities and a host family that is waiting to share them with you! As an exchange student to Germany, part of your experience will be:
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Fall Year | Early August | Late June | $16,095 |
| 2025 Spring Year | Late January | Early January | $16,095 |
- Placement with a carefully selected host family
- Enrollment in a local German high school (excluding summer students)
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Germany Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
As a student in Germany, you may be placed in a gymnasium or gesamtschule. Most students will attend a gymnasium, which prepares students for entrance into the German university system. Gymnasiums have a set of core classes (math, science, languages, social sciences) supplemented by elective courses. At school, students may participate in physical education, the arts (theater, music, and photography), computer projects, and other events. YFU students should be prepared for the possibility of attending classes in a grade or two lower than their American grade level. Students in Germany spend the final year of secondary school preparing exclusively for German colleges, so YFU students typically do not attend classes at this level.
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place online, dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival in Germany, students will participate in a 6-day arrival orientation. Students will also participate in an online German course (or test out if they have previous language ability) to help develop German language proficiency.
Students will also take part in a six-day mid-year and two-day regional re-entry orientation. The orientations are included in the program tuition.
Outside of school, most German youth are involved in organizations such as sport clubs, churches, and community education centers. Exchange students are encouraged to take advantage of the extracurricular activities offered in their communities.
- 2025 Fall Departure: Students born March 31, 2007 – July 31, 2010
- 2025 Spring Departure: Students born September 30, 2006 – January 1, 2010
- Students who do not meet this age requirement or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
German. Previous language study is not required.
Students are placed throughout Germany, usually in the countryside, small towns, or medium-sized cities. Very few students are placed in larger cities. A charming aspect of German family life is the tradition of having family members and friends come over in the afternoon for tea or coffee. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know your new host family and friends.
