High School Program
for International Students
Nearly 2,000 YFU students come to the U.S. each year from 50 countries. As a YFU exchange
student, you'll go to high school, become a member of a caring host family, and learn
about the United States as a resident, not a tourist.
Overview
In today's multicultural, interconnected world, things
change really fast. The only way to keep up and to compete globally is to get a global education.
As a Youth For Understanding (YFU)
International Exchange student, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and insights that will
prepare you to be a world player. Every day you will be learning something new - about the
culture you're living in, about the English language you're speaking, about art, music,
literature, religion, trade, politics, and about yourself.
If living in the United States for a year or semester and learning
about a totally different culture sounds like your kind of challenge, then it's time to go abroad with YFU. You will attend school where you will make friends and learn what
life is like for teenagers in the USA. Everywhere you go and everything you do, you'll
learn - from your host family, family, friends, and teachers; from shopkeepers, bank tellers, and bus drivers.
You'll live with a carefully-selected host family who has
volunteered to open their home and their hearts to you, providing you room, board, and a
caring home. As an exchange student to the United States you will learn about family life,
schools, and religion in the U.S. You will learn how family members relate to one another
and about their daily schedules. At school you will learn not only academic subjects
such as English, history, science, and math, but you will learn about teenage social life,
friendship, and extracurricular activities.
You can find out more information about living in the United States
at libraries, embassies, travel specialists, and from newspapers.
Admission Requirements
YFU looks for students who are flexible, have a spirit of adventure,
and who will enjoy the challenge of adapting to new people in a new culture. You must be
between the ages of 15 and 18, meet minimum grade requirements, and be in good health.
Applicants to the YFU High School Program must demonstrate the following in order to be accepted:
- Strong academic record
- English language proficiency
- Motivation to excel in academic or career courses
- Commitment to the host family experience
- Self-responsibility, self-direction, and maturity
- Readiness for a cross cultural exchange experience
Candidates applying to the program must demonstrate pride in their culture and respect for cultural diversity.
Applicants take a comprehensive English language test to demonstrate
English Language skills, submit personal essays, and take part in face-to face interviews to
determine motivation and readiness for both homestay exchange and high school level work.
Program Tuition
The High School Program tuition includes international airfare to a
host family, host family placement arrangements, program orientation, and on-going support. Your National
Office will be able to provide more details on current tuition.
Applying for the High School Program
To receive information about the YFU High School
program, please contact your YFU National Office. |