CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang='en-us' prefix='og: http://ogp.me/ns#'> <head>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-8F02B5STRL"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-8F02B5STRL'); </script> <title>Youth for Understanding - YFU</title> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/NationalWeb-Regular-c425f27e1799a7d4785776c04490995d63c42bee83e8fea7df6efe5aac8a5c9a.woff' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/NationalWeb-Bold-c4471a2aeeb272f6296f8b8930010f723189ffddd54eb1e1431cf31776c7021d.woff' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/NationalWeb-RegularItalic-931fc758d21df3b47ac107878aa93603851e15e8378727bbf63fa90659074452.woff' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/NationalWeb-BoldItalic-2d28876550da1fc69a8452e0a4b038354d9f4c6ed572b40a0b4c575a724da3c6.woff' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/fa/fa-solid-900-9834b82ad26e2a37583d22676a12dd2eb0fe7c80356a2114d0db1aa8b3899537.woff2' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <link as='font' crossorigin href='https://yfu.org/assets/fa/fa-brands-400-8ea8791754915a898a3100e63e32978a6d1763be6df8e73a39d3a90d691cdeef.woff2' rel='preload' type='font/woff'> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /> <meta name="referrer" content="no-referrer" /> <meta name="keywords" /> <meta name="description" content="a" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Youth for Understanding - YFU" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://yfu.org/" /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://yfu.org/videos/study-abroad-yfu-image-video-01_poster.jpg" /> <meta property="og:description" content="a" /> <meta property="og:locale" content="en" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Youth for Understanding - YFU" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="a" /> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://yfu.org/videos/study-abroad-yfu-image-video-01_poster.jpg" /> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-32x32-208d7c8e7f0b81f54eff1cce376dbe4fed450f2805745379ba9f3cf3da1fc614.png' rel='shortcut icon' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-16x16-aae12989e88fffbe0af71491c7c95a357b8b42b42a694b64db88a4afe34953d7.png' rel='icon' sizes='16x16' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-32x32-208d7c8e7f0b81f54eff1cce376dbe4fed450f2805745379ba9f3cf3da1fc614.png' rel='icon' sizes='32x32' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-64x64-61027d3b464ccc5a3e0aa4dfb48afd8d2ecf88c9c71a8459ec167086919e31b5.png' rel='icon' sizes='64x64' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-96x96-241c22836953874d0e37fe893ed78e66bf1d8dea1fb8ef9d4b7bfd00cf1d6d88.png' rel='icon' sizes='96x96' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-128x128-a6dfebec15e189ae84d7952848b20282b1f8c340c2043d127b57f7d2e731a0a2.png' rel='icon' sizes='128x128' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/favicon-192x192-015ab002265f884c7c9b9a87524c263d82313869b7a35727329b1a9efcb6d08b.png' rel='icon' sizes='192x192' type='image/png'> <link href='https://yfu.org/assets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-473695fc0b682aaefe2fe55b10c4c6cbdc1ffd8d2fc6dde57d917760151474c7.png' rel='apple-touch-icon'> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/assets/application-c737eb204a1e50e6feb8e174f8848661927d1d74a0dbd848644d881e465332cb.css" lazyload="true" /> <script src="/assets/application-64b689e5769e145516c45a4951bab28dc60c1147aee13e423e3b1e049364f8a8.js"></script> <meta name="csrf-param" content="authenticity_token" /> <meta name="csrf-token" content="KX4xeZB7FxHpJ/gNuTqpNNQsSOiUUKHWBWHvcCHQ1BV4g7Ioby/FF5yUhMl0nKGAUYcGl2g9hzzpFoa1wlNNyA==" /> <link href='https://yfu.org/' hreflang='en-us' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfu.fr' hreflang='fr-fr' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfu.at' hreflang='de-at' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://news.yfuitalia.org' hreflang='it-it' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://www.yfu.org.uy' hreflang='es-uy' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://homede.yfu.ch' hreflang='de-ch' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://homede.yfu.ch' hreflang='de-ch' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://homefr.yfu.ch' hreflang='fr-ch' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfu.be' hreflang='nl-be' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfu.no' hreflang='no-no' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://about.yfu.exchange' hreflang='en-us' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfubrasil.org.br' hreflang='pt-br' rel='alternate'> <link href='https://yfu.org.mx' hreflang='es-mx' rel='alternate'> <link href='//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/cookieconsent2/3.0.3/cookieconsent.min.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css'> <script src='//cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/cookieconsent2/3.0.3/cookieconsent.min.js'></script> <script> window.addEventListener("load", function() { window.cookieconsent.initialise( {"palette":{"popup":{"background":"#555555"},"button":{"background":"#f1d600"}},"theme":"classic","content":{"message":"This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.","dismiss":"Accept","link":"More info","href":"https://yfu.org/privacy-policy"}} )}); </script> <meta name="p:domain_verify" content="0f53e54a89e147d1a8ae99d4c6f88ab0"/><script type="text/javascript"> var BACON = BACON || {}; BACON.id = 'tsFu7VsBMeV67afK'; BACON.starttime = new Date().getTime(); (function(d, s) { var js = d.createElement(s); js.async = true; js.src = "//d2vig74li2resi.cloudfront.net/rum/bacon.min.js"; var s = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(js, s); })(document, "script"); </script> </head> <body class='about'> <div id='wrapper'> <nav class='primary'> <div class='content'> <a class="top-badge" href="https://yfu.org"><img class="logo" src="/assets/sections/large/figurative_mark-8b3ed2ec16d45192c9e0f5c2cde4c6260103840f373f7a6a2674fdc92e047292.svg" /> <span class='title'> <div class='company'>YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING</div> </span> </a><div class='extra'> <div class='some hidden-mobile'><a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/YouthForUnderstanding"><i class="fab fa-facebook-square fa-2x"></i></a><a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/yfu_global/"><i class="fab fa-instagram fa-2x"></i></a><a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp10-g0AFISfdRyl5vTZq9A"><i class="fab fa-youtube fa-2x"></i></a></div> </div> <div class='items'> <div class='visible'> <div class='row'><div class='item primary'> <a href="https://study.yfu.org">Study Abroad</a> </div> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://host.yfu.org">Host a student</a> </div> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://volunteer.yfu.org">Volunteer</a> </div> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://about.yfu.org">About YFU</a> </div> </div> <div class='row'> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://advocacy.yfu.org">Advocacy</a> </div> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://education.yfu.org">Educational Activities</a> </div> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://training.yfu.org">Training & Capacity</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class='more-items hidden'> </div> </div> <div class='clear both'></div> </div> </nav> <nav class='secondary'> <div class='content'> <div class='items'> <div class='visible'> <div class='item secondary'> <a href="https://yfu.org/anniversary">YFU 70th anniversary</a> <div class='sub-items'> <div class='item'> <a href="https://yfu.org/yfu-exchange-stories">YFU Exchange stories </a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://yfu.org/anthem">YFU Anthem</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://yfu.org/thank-you">Thank You Cards</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class='clear both'></div> </div> </nav> <nav class='mobile regular'> <a class="section" href="https://yfu.org"><div class='logo'></div> <span class='title'> <div class='company'>YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING</div> </span> </a> <a class="brand" href="https://yfu.org"><img class="logo" src="/assets/brand-purple-3c825466ab579cf2b25855790dfb15b1bcda9ed138676eaf83826159cc20f523.png" /> <span class='title'> <div class='company'>YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING</div> </span> </a> <div class='websites'> <div class='item'> <a href="https://study.yfu.org">Study Abroad</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://host.yfu.org">Host a student</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://volunteer.yfu.org">Volunteer</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://about.yfu.org">About YFU</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://advocacy.yfu.org">Advocacy</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://education.yfu.org">Educational Activities</a> </div> <div class='item'> <a href="https://training.yfu.org">Training & Capacity</a> </div> </div> <div class='items'> <div class='item primary'> <a href="https://yfu.org/anniversary">YFU 70th anniversary</a> <div class='sub-items'> <div class='item secondary'> <a href="https://yfu.org/yfu-exchange-stories">YFU Exchange stories </a> </div> <div class='item secondary'> <a href="https://yfu.org/anthem">YFU Anthem</a> </div> <div class='item secondary'> <a href="https://yfu.org/thank-you">Thank You Cards</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <i class="fas fa-bars toggle"></i> <div class='clear both'></div> </nav> <main> <div class='page base'> <div class='video-hero'> <video autoplay id='leading-video' loop muted poster='/videos/study-abroad-yfu-image-video-01_poster.jpg'> <source data-src='/videos/study-abroad-yfu-image-video-01.mp4' type='video/mp4'> </video> </div> <script> $(function() { if ($.browser.mobile != true) { var sources = document.querySelectorAll('video#leading-video source'); // Define the video object this source is contained inside var video = document.querySelector('video#leading-video'); for(var i = 0; i<sources.length;i++) { sources[i].setAttribute('src', sources[i].getAttribute('data-src')); } // If for some reason we do want to load the video after, for desktop as opposed to mobile (I'd imagine), use videojs API to load video.load(); } }); </script> <div class='content'> <h1> <div class='container'> Youth For Understanding <div class='sub'>make the world your home</div> </div> </h1> <div class='widget static_rich_text'> <div class='container'> <p><p>YFU advances intercultural understanding,聽life-long learning, global competencies,聽mutual respect, and social responsibility through聽<a href="https://study.yfu.org">transformational聽educational exchanges</a>聽for generations of聽youth, families, and communities, supported by dedicated volunteers and professional staff.<br></p> <p>The <a href="https://about.yfu.org/yfu-national-organizations"></a><a href="https://about.yfu.org/member-organizations">global YFU network</a>, consisting of Member Organizations聽in more than <a href="https://about.yfu.org/member-organizations">45 different countries</a>, is united by the belief that full cultural immersion is the most effective means to gain the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly multicultural, interconnected and competitive global society. <a href="https://about.yfu.org">Youth For Understanding -聽YFU</a> has remained a trusted leader of intercultural <a href="https://study.yfu.org">student聽exchange programs</a> for more than 70 years because of its commitment to safety, reputation for quality, and exceptional support services.</p></p> </div> </div> <div class='widget static_link_buttons'> <a target="_blank" class="circle button " href="https://about.yfu.org/member-organizations"><span>Connect with YFU in your country</span></a> </div> <div class='widget program_related_map'> <div class='container'> <img src="/assets/maps/world-5a8aedb3ee44ecd960cb9a7aaee79a6af3be42999767dd010beff2fac4f582bd.png" /> </div> </div> <div class='widget program_related_news_filter'> <a class='single-news' href='/news/754'> <div class='cover' style='background-image: url(/uploads/editorial_desk/news/picture/754/cropped_YES_2024_Report.png);'></div> <div class='information'> <div class='title'>The YES 2024 Report is out!</div> <div class='teaser'>YES is the biggest annual, global event in YFU. Find out the highlights of this year's seminar and see the impact we reached.</div> <div class='date'>Aug 27, 2024 16:05</div> </div> </a> <a class='single-news' href='/news/667'> <div class='cover' style='background-image: url(/uploads/editorial_desk/news/picture/667/cropped_correct_size_for_website1.png);'></div> <div class='information'> <div class='title'>"I鈥檓 a YFUer, of course I vote!"</div> <div class='teaser'>What starts with a single person, over time, influences nations: our commitment to fostering active citizenship</div> <div class='date'>Apr 05, 2024 13:47</div> </div> </a> <a class='single-news' href='/news/638'> <div class='cover' style='background-image: url(/uploads/editorial_desk/news/picture/638/cropped_2023_YES_Report12.png);'></div> <div class='information'> <div class='title'>YFU 2023 Annual Report is out!</div> <div class='teaser'>Take a look at the key events and achievements in YFU in 2023. </div> <div class='date'>Feb 19, 2024 16:49</div> </div> </a> <a class='single-news' href='/news/629'> <div class='cover' style='background-image: url(/uploads/editorial_desk/news/picture/629/cropped_maria_fe_final_picture_for_website_blog_post.png);'></div> <div class='information'> <div class='title'>Meet Maria Fe, the newly elected Chair of YFU International!</div> <div class='teaser'>We had the chance to reflect on the past year in YFU with Maria Fe, who was elected Chair of YFU's International Board in late 2023. </div> <div class='date'>Feb 07, 2024 14:50</div> </div> </a> <a class='single-news' href='/news/609'> <div class='cover' style='background-image: url(/uploads/editorial_desk/news/picture/609/cropped_IMG_8457.jpg);'></div> <div class='information'> <div class='title'>The YES 2023 Report is out!</div> <div class='teaser'>Find out more about the new learning experience: the social hackathon!</div> <div class='date'>Dec 28, 2023 16:23</div> </div> </a> </div> <div class='widget static_rich_text'> <div class='container'> <p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"> </p> <a target="_self" class="button " href="https://about.yfu.org">Find out more about YFU</a> </div> </div> <div class='widget static_call_to_action_button'> <a target="_blank" class="about" href="https://c7bb2588.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAL_4MsBr8yRh5t3du9JZDgaeV20iM7oZnVI1gpXa9-ajr6sIBHHXip_OfiqO-OJHt3EvqC-yxtnXDTmxpOpFnKGMU1Nkmq2rcHKNHDMTKTF2gq2qEyKy4YIrmAHb0fCklzZ8qGqs_ZiCaWyx8mOfsAEeRo5jgm_TVFjckmpNmpr2ChIVQgnNv_59lOyFRQ6gJWgQlmNafDHb"><img src="/assets/cta/apply-a4b4d0f85d831c9ff456a68b7ff38271cfeada705e280f49337db7f7359c4a39.png" /> <span>Newsletter</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class='container'> <div class='social-shares primary' data-shares='["twitter", "facebook"]'> <div class='items'></div> <div class='plus'><i class="fas fa-plus"></i></div> </div> <div class='social-shares additional' data-shares='["twitter", "facebook", "email"]'> <h3>Share</h3> <div class='items'></div> </div> </div> </main> <footer> <div class='container sitemap'> <div class='row'> <section> <a class="title" href="https://yfu.org/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a> </section> <section> <a class="title" href="https://yfu.org/copyright">Copyright</a> </section> <section> <a class="title" href="https://yfu.org/anniversary-team">Anniversary Celebration Team</a> </section> <section> <a class="title" href="https://yfu.org/anniversary">YFU 70th anniversary</a> <a class="item" href="https://yfu.org/yfu-exchange-stories">YFU Exchange stories </a> <a class="item" href="https://yfu.org/anthem">YFU Anthem</a> </section> </div> </div> <div class='container'> <section class='brand'> <div class='legal-seat-and-contact-information'> <div class='legal-seat'> <div class='title'>Youth For Understanding</div> <div class='item'>2021 L St NW Suite 101-298</div> <div class='item'></div> <div class='item'>WASHINGTON, 20036-4914</div> <div class='item'>United States</div> </div> <div class='contact-information'> <div class='title'>Contact</div> <div class='item'><a href="https://about.yfu.org/member-organizations">Leave us a message</a></div> </div> </div> <div class='logo2'> </div> </section> </div> <div class='container'> <div class='row'> <div class='logo'> <img alt="YFU Global Office" src="/uploads/website_builder/websites/footer_logo1/9/YFU_Logo_Student_Exchange_Programs.png" /> </div> <div class='social-pages'> <span>Follow us on</span> <a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/YouthForUnderstanding"><i class="fab fa-facebook-square fa-2x"></i></a> <a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/yfu_global/"><i class="fab fa-instagram fa-2x"></i></a> <a target="blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp10-g0AFISfdRyl5vTZq9A"><i class="fab fa-youtube fa-2x"></i></a> </div> </div> </div> <div class='container'> <div class='row credits'> <div class='copyright'> © 2024 Youth For Understanding. All rights reserved. </div> <div class='ngo'>Youth For Understanding is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation. Donations are fully tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.</div> </div> </div> </footer> <script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Organization","url":"https://yfu.org","logo":"https://yfu.org/uploads/website_builder/websites/footer_logo1/9/YFU_Logo_Student_Exchange_Programs.png"}</script> </div> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/assets/sections/about-60db2ae8abf6477987597f5e9a6b5e97c613570182166791212c660c94ded343.css" /> </body> </html>