Want an easy way to communicate with other alumni and stay in touch with what's happening with YFU? Then join the Alumni Listserv, an email group created to help you communicate with YFU alumni, volunteers, host families, exchange students, staff and friends around the world. On the listserv you'll find announcements about internships, volunteer and even job opportunities. Discussion topics range from requests for advice about going overseas, to how people's exchange experiences changed their lives. Whatever topics are of interest to the YFU alumni community can be found on the listserv.

Follow the instructions to join, and plug into the ever-increasing network of YFU friends and family. If you have any questions about the listserv, contact Vicki Daly Redholtz.

Being a part of the Peer Support program is another wonderful way to continue your exchange experience and make a contribution to YFU. Some of you may have had senior and junior reps while you were overseas &endash; Peer Support is the U.S. version of those programs. Peer Support team members are young alumni who volunteer with YFU by working with current International Students. Alumni participants are trained and assigned a student and then they assist the Area Representative in supporting the international student. This can be done via email, phone calls or just by being there to listen. While there is a basic structure in place for Peer Support, each region can shape the program to its particular needs and support infrastructure. In fields that have used Peer Support, alumni have become highly involved and responsible field members. They've participated in International Student activities, trips, orientations and many other field events.

Staff, volunteers and alumni that are interested in starting their own Peer Support Team can contact Jeanne Pierce.

How would you like to reconnect with people from your exchange program and do something great for YFU? The NAC has formed an Alumni Contact Network and would like you to be an Alumni Contact. We are looking for at least one Alumni Contact for each program, e.g., Finland summer 1996. Alumni Contacts call or write to people in their program once a year. The purpose is to keep in touch with fellow alumni, update addresses and create awareness about YFU's annual fundraising efforts. If this sounds like something you are interested contact Craig Jarvinen (or 612-857-1259).

One of the best ways to share your exchange and at the same time to encourage others to go abroad or host a student is to give a presentation. Geography, business, social studies and foreign language classes are all perfect places for you to give a presentation on your exchange. After all, you've seen different geography, experienced a new culture and participated in another economic and social system. You might also see if an elementary or junior high school would be interested. Younger kids just love to hear your stories and they aren't afraid to ask questions!

Many clubs, organizations and teachers are looking for people to give presentations. Groups like Rotary, Women's Clubs and Jaycees often want to hear from local people who've done something different and can share their new perspectives - alumni fit right into this description. The presentations don't have to be fancy, these people just want to hear about the experience.

If you are interested in giving presentations contact your Field Manager or Regional Office at 1-866-4-YFUUSA. They have lots of experience with these types of presentations and can give you pointers and even presentation materials.

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