Youth for Understanding (YFU) is one of the world's largest and most respected international exchange programs!

Help us welcome the world home by hosting a high school age international student for an academic school year or semester. A YFU exchange student becomes a member of your family, participates in family activities, shares in home responsibilities, and provides your family with an international friendship that can last a lifetime! The student comes to your home and never leaves your heart!

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Through this experience, everyday activities take on a new and exciting twist. Hosting a student from abroad will broaden your entire perspective on the world. It's a great educational opportunity for the whole family and a lot of fun, too!

YFU international exchange students are carefully-selected, chosen based on their academic excellence and teacher recommendations. They have studied English and many have even received scholarships! Your international son or daughter will be between 15-18 years of age and will come from one of over 60 countries that partner with YFU! Here's the profile of one of our many students seeking a host family:

"Lara: 15 years old, Female from Germany

Lara is described by her teachers as being responsible, helpful and self confident. She loves singing and playing the piano. She hopes to continue playing the piano but also looks forward to new adventures with her new family in America. She also sings in a choir, rides horses and jogging. Lara considers herself to be honest and confident and knows she will adapt to her new American family. Since she attends a boarding school and is away all week her time with her family is very important and loves to spend time with them, and her friends. She likes movies, shopping or just hanging out with her friends. Lara wants to experience life in the U.S. and learn about our lifestyle and culture and hopes to show her new family her culture. She does not like fish but is looking forward to learning about American food. Lara is excited and ready to be a part of your family."

Interested in inviting another part of the world to your very own living room? Call Tchi Sogoyou at 240 235 2102 ext 2507, tsogoyou@.yfu.org for information about hosting and for detailed profiles and letters of our incoming students!

More information about hosting a YFU student can be found at http://yfuusa.org/host-families.php If you’re interested, please begin the process by filling out a host family application online or send us an email expressing your interest.