Youth For Understanding

Youth For Understanding "MAKE THE WORLD YOUR HOME"
YFU opens hearts and minds through educational youth exchanges.

Youth For Understanding (YFU) advances intercultural understanding, mutual respect, and social responsibility through educational exchanges for youth, families and communities. The global YFU network, consisting of partners in more than 50 different countries, is united by the belief that full cultural immersion is the most effective means to gain the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly mul

ticultural, interconnected and competitive global society. YFU has remained a trusted leader of intercultural exchange programs for more than 60 years because of its commitment to safety, reputation for quality, and exceptional support services.

What a powerful reminder of why international exchange matters.The past few days in New York brought together stories, p...
09/03/2026

What a powerful reminder of why international exchange matters.

The past few days in New York brought together stories, people, and ideas from across the world, and YFU was incredibly proud to be there as a founding partner of made_impact.

From Storytellers Day on Ellis Island to the Made Impact Summit at the United Nations, one message connected it all:

International exchange is a pathway to peace, understanding, and prosperity.

And now, to all the storytellers: it’s time for action. Gather those incredible stories. Tell them. Share them. Let's build the evidence that demonstrates the transformative power of international exchange.

And to our incredible YFU volunteers and community:

We could not be more proud of you. 💜

More than 50 of you showed up in New York with passion, energy, and a shared belief in what YFU stands for. You listened, connected, shared your experiences, and helped make these days truly unforgettable.

The stories continue, and together, we have a million to tell.

50+ YFUers from around the world and one exciting journey about to begin. 🗽Today, our YFU volunteers arrived in New York...
08/31/2026

50+ YFUers from around the world and one exciting journey about to begin. 🗽

Today, our YFU volunteers arrived in New York City and finally got the chance to meet not only each other, but also all the storytellers joining this global cohort with .

Over the next few days, we’ll gather at Ellis Island and the United Nations to explore the power of storytelling and the impact of international exchange.

But today was about something just as important: getting to know the people behind the stories. ✨

08/31/2026

“A million stories mean…” 💭

We asked our YFU storytellers to finish the sentence.

A million reasons to showcase the power of international exchange.✨

So, tell us: A million stories mean…?

75 Years of Home 💜 What started in 1951 as a bold vision to foster peace and mutual understanding after WWII has grown i...
08/28/2026

75 Years of Home 💜

What started in 1951 as a bold vision to foster peace and mutual understanding after WWII has grown into a global community spanning generations.

Swipe through these throwbacks from the 1950s and 60s! From the very first exchange students boarding trans-Atlantic ships to host families opening their doors and hearts for the first time, these images capture the spirit of discovery that started it all. 🚢✈️

Different eras, same mission: making the world a little smaller and a lot kinder through intercultural exchange. 🌏

08/26/2026

"I stayed with YFU because..." 🎙️

The YFU journey doesn't end when an exchange year finishes. For many, it is just the beginning.

🔊 Listen in as YFU volunteers share why exactly they chose to stay, give back, and keep the mission of intercultural learning alive.

How would you finish the sentence? Drop your reason in the comments! 👇

Rewriting the narrative of international exchange: YFU is heading to NYC with Made Impact! 🗽 More than 50 YFU volunteers...
08/24/2026

Rewriting the narrative of international exchange: YFU is heading to NYC with Made Impact! 🗽

More than 50 YFU volunteers from all around the world are heading to New York City to join for two monumental days:

🚢 Storyteller Day on Ellis Island (August 31): Training as part of a global cohort of storytellers at Ellis Island, a historic symbol of new beginnings, exchange, and identity.

🌎 The Summit at the United Nations (September 1): Uniting with global leaders, advocates, and partner organizations at the UN Headquarters.

Together, we are building a unified front to move international education from the margins to the very center of global strategy to highlight its impact on human potential, prosperity and peace. Through the World Storyteller Project, our YFUers will mobilize to gather the experiences of exchange participants, host families, and alumni worldwide, building the Million Stories Initiative. 📸

Stay tuned! We can’t wait to take you along and to get you involved in this exciting and extremely relevant journey!

08/20/2026

🎙️ "The best decision you can make."

From building deep global connections to returning home more confident and independent, intercultural exchange profoundly reshapes how you see the world (and yourself).

Hear firsthand from Elena, Lourdes, and Johanna about the lasting impact of their exchange journeys. 💜

Reach out to the YFU organization in your country to learn more.

🌟 Volunteer of the Month: Celebrating Réka 🌟 Some people stay connected to YFU after their exchange year. Others become ...
08/18/2026

🌟 Volunteer of the Month: Celebrating Réka 🌟

Some people stay connected to YFU after their exchange year. Others become the driving force that helps the organization grow. Réka is undeniably one of them.

Since returning from her exchange year in Chile, Réka has been a pillar of the YFU Hungary community. Over the years, Réka has taken on nearly every volunteer role imaginable, both at home and abroad. For the past decade, her generosity, commitment, and boundless energy have shaped both the daily operations and the long-term vision of the organization.

We also want to extend our gratitude to Réka’s parents, who have supported the YFU mission by guiding the families of future exchange students and spreading the spirit of intercultural exchange.

Réka, the entire YFU Hungary family and your many friends across the international YFU network are sending you our collective strength, endless gratitude, and warmest love. Thank you for everything you do.

08/12/2026

🌍Why intercultural exchange matters more than ever

On this , we look to the next generation of leaders, changemakers, and global citizens. In a complex and rapidly changing world, the power to build a better future lies in the hands of young people who dare to bridge cultural divides.

As Lena Gronbach (National Director of YFU South Africa & Namibia) highlights, true global peace and understanding start at the grassroots level. By making small, personal connections with host families, classmates, and communities abroad, young people discover a profound truth: our shared humanity is far greater than our differences. 🤝

Stepping into an intercultural exchange can feel daunting, but it is precisely these experiences that empower youth to take a broader, more empathetic perspective back into the world.

🌟 Watch the full video to hear Lena’s insights on how these grassroots connections create a lasting ripple effect of understanding across borders.

🏡 Host Family of the Month: The Vallejos García Since 2019, Patricia and Mario have been exemplary pillars of the YFU Pa...
08/11/2026

🏡 Host Family of the Month: The Vallejos García

Since 2019, Patricia and Mario have been exemplary pillars of the YFU Paraguay community.

What truly sets them apart is their innate ability to cultivate genuine family warmth from the moment a student steps through the door.

And now, their journey has come full circle! Swipe to read their story. ➡️

Thank you for always being willing to open your home to the world, Mario and Patricia! And for leaving such a beautiful, lasting mark on our global network🏆

Address

Washington D.C., DC
20012

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Youth For Understanding posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category