YFU alumni are passionately involved in nearly every volunteer job imaginable and are helping YFU offices and staff the world over. The Link received so many articles about alumni volunteers that we had to split them into two groups. We hope you enjoy Part I of our Alumni Volunteer issue.

Global Alumni Volunteer

Aromas of spicy mincemeat dance on the ends of your nose and cool guacamole soothes your tongue like silk. Dave Dobbyns is singing and strumming his popular tune of Loyal; it sounds as if he is sitting in the chair in the corner of the living room perhaps? As I hum along, spoons twirl and pans shake. Before me, a view of the horizon offers a landscape of bays, pohutakawa trees (native plants with crimson flowers) and the tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

I am preparing a traditional three course Mexican feast for my host family in our Wellington, New Zealand home. Why Mexican food you say when I am an American who has traveled to New Zealand to work as an International Intern for YFU New Zealand? Because growing up in Houston, Texas, a city with a strong Mexican cultural influence, you are bound to thrive off this cuisine!

As globalization continues to develop and flourish throughout the world, Youth For Understanding’s existence and its mission becomes increasing vital. The threshold has been crossed and is steadily moving forward in regards to the integration of cultures. Airplanes are a major transportation vehicle - you can be anywhere in the world within a 24hr period. Product materials are made in several countries and then imported and exported worldwide and information technology is becoming available to more people in more countries everyday. Concurrently, identity is an important characteristic we each possess and require to support our individuality and thrive. This is why I support YFU and volunteer as an intern- to help the ongoing process of globalization and individual identity coexist.

Whether it be interviewing a potential host family, making copies of documents, designing a brochure, licking envelopes, placing ads in newspapers, or picking up the daily mail, I enjoy all my tasks as an intern. Currently I have been given the responsibility to develop the office’s intranet. You never know what skills, new or old, you will utilize! Woodrow Wilson once stated, "We are not merely here to make a living. We are here to enrich the world, and we impoverish ourselves if we forget this errand." I refuse to become complacent in life; I constantly long to learn. This is why I became an Intern for YFU New Zealand. And it is also why YFU really is a journey, not an event. I will continue to volunteer and very much look forward to the day when I too can host students from around the world and experience life over and over again through new eyes.

I believe the more tolerant we each become through life experiences, such as YFU offers, are priceless. Whether it be through being an exchange student, hosting and/or volunteering, we will reap collectively the true joy of sharing and happiness that is always at a hand’s grasp for any and everyone. Thank you YFU International, for extending me the opportunity of a lifetime. I look forward to many more years of involvement! And I always carry a bottle of Tabasco sauce, so if you would like an introduction to some good ol’ Mexican food- just holler!

Liane Crae Soukup
SFU Denmark and Sweden ’92 summer

For more information about YFU Internships, see our Internships page!

How did you get involved with YFU? If there is one question that I love to hear it is "How did you get involved with YFU?" I find that my answer keeps changing just as my experience changes me. If you haven't been asked this question, now is the time to ask yourself...

I got involved with YFU after my exchange (Sweden 79) because I was invited to an orientation. I wanted to talk about my exchange in my hometown and found that no one really wanted to listen. People were polite but no one could really share my feelings. YFU turned out to be a big help. They gave me a forum and let me help. I have great memories of those orientations and how YFU wanted me there.

I went to college then Peace Corps upon my return I called the YFU office in Boston. I was mentored by a great volunteer named Pete Piette. He taught me how to interview, work with host families and even deal with a student moving. He believed in me so much that I volunteered to be a Flight Leader and went to Paris, France.

I have since worked in Mississippi, Michigan, Illinois and now in Tennessee. I have helped with all aspects of volunteering but now concentrate on American Students. I see a little of me in them. I want them to have an experience like the one I had and continue to have.

Some ways that I help YFU and they help me are:

• Get an alumni list from your regional office...ask about calling some of the alumni in your area that aren't involved. Call them, ask about their experience and how could you help them get involved.
• Go to an orientation. Listen to what people are now saying about YFU.
• Carry YFU literature with you. Leave pamphlets (if people don't mind) at schools, church, work, wherever you go.
• Mentor a new volunteer. Ask for additional training. (PS: this looks great on a resume or mentioned to your boss)
• Talk about your experience. I still get asked about mine and I still offer to present.

So now the question is; How are you involved with YFU? and if you aren't call them. I know I would love to hear about your experiences too.

Becky (Bundy) Lemont
Sweden - Summer 79

  (Newsletter Continued) 

For more information about Volunteering, check out our Volunteer Page!