Go Global! Learn More About Youth For Understanding's Host Family Programs

Feb. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Benefits of Hosting

The benefits of hosting a YFU student in your home are as numerous and varied as the families who embrace this life-altering experience. Here are some benefits of hosting as a YFU USA Host Family:

■Gain a global perspective
■Learn about other cultures because its fun for all ages
■Expand your family and it expands the fun
■Create exchange memories that last a lifetime
■Enrich your school and community by adding an exchange student to your family

Experiencing a global perspective is a family affair

At Youth For Understanding USA, we think the best reason to host an exchange student is the global education that it provides your family.


"We have loved each of our eight exchange students as our own children... and now we have sons and daughters around the globe!"
Susan Garrett (Host Mom)
Columbia, MD

Imagine welcoming a young person from Brazil, Japan, Germany, or one of over 60 countries into your home. When your family decides to share their lives with a student from abroad, everyday experiences take a new and exciting twist - American traditions gain deeper meaning as you introduce them to your new son or daughter; a casual family chat about world events reveals new perspectives you may never have considered; the dinner table includes exotic new dishes as your exchange student cooks up a taste of home for all to sample. Exchange will broaden your entire family's perspective on the world. It is a great education and its lots of fun, too!

Learning about other cultures is fun for all ages

Many families host for the educational value the experience brings to their own children. For young children, their new big brother or sister may be their first exposure to another language, different customs, and new ways of thinking. These early experiences teach tolerance and can spark a lasting interest in world history, geography, and language.

For teenagers, an exchange brother or sister brings new perspectives to issues facing teens around the globe - making choices for the future, shaping a better world, and having a great time!

American students need a global perspective to succeed in today’s world. Exchange brings that perspective into your own home. Whether your teenager's interests lie in history, economics, science, or foreign language, the skills, insight, and flexibility teenagers will gain by having an exchange student in your home will help prepare them for life in our fast-changing, multicultural world.

If you do not have children or your children are grown, you can still host a YFU student and have a great time doing it! Host families are as diverse as America itself. If yours is a non-traditional household interested in sharing your home with a young person from overseas, your application to host will be considered following special selection procedures. Even if everyone in your family is all grown up, don't be surprised if your exchange experience teaches you a few things too! After all, there is no age limit for a global education.

Expanding your family increases the fun

Frequently, families host because they simply enjoy teenagers. Some want to add another family member. Others feel a loss when one of their own children moves away to work or study and welcome an exchange student into their home to fill the gap. By sharing your interests and love with an exchange son or daughter, you receive love and lifelong friendships in return.


"A lot of people think that you have to have teenagers to be a host family. We felt very strongly that our younger girls could really benefit from it. And it's true... it's been wonderful!"
Ann Ellis (YFU USA Host Mom)
Upland, CA

Creating exchange memories lasts a lifetime

Picture yourself introducing your exchange son or daughter to American culture by going to a baseball or football game, visiting a museum, attending a concert, window-shopping at the mall, or barbecuing in your own backyard. Whatever your favorite activities sharing them with an exchange student will make lasting memories your whole family will treasure.

Memorable Events:

■A Thanksgiving feast goes global with your student mastering a traditional pumpkin pie and you rolling the sushi.
■Third grade "Show and Tell" takes an international twist when an exchange big brother or sister shares pictures, stories, and traditional crafts from their home country.
■Cherished American values from voting to volunteering become even more meaningful when shared with a young person from abroad.

What will you put in your family's memory book this year?



A YFU Host's Mom's Goodbye Tribute

Hosting enriches your school and community

YFU students bring other cultures right into your school and your community. They will help you and those around you learn about other people, places, and perspectives.

No matter what career they choose, today's high school students will need a global education. To meet this challenge, teachers around the nation are looking for effective ways to spark interest in international study, bring current events to life, and encourage foreign language study.


"The exchange student idea can change things and make a difference one person at a time. One person interacting positively with our students... probably does more good than hours and hours at any diplomatic table."
Mr. Reimenschneider (Teacher)
Fort Wayne, IN

When you decide to host a YFU USA student, teachers at your school can bring another culture right into the classroom. What better way for the young people in your community to learn about the world than by studying, talking, and laughing with a peer from the other side of the globe?

Discounts for Children of YFU USA Host Families

Besides the many intangible benefits of providing a home to an exchange student from another country, YFU USA offers to anyone in your immediate family a discount if they decide to become a YFU exchange student. Hosting an exchange student for at least six months before your child’s departure entitles each of your family members to a discount of $500 from a summer program or $800 from a year or semester program.

For more information contact Myke Harris-Long, YFU Field Director (678) 413-2131 or email at harrislong@yfu.org  Go online to www.yfu-usa.org to complete the online host application form and to see incoming fall students.

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YFU USA takes seriously our mission to prepare young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world. We take equally seriously our commitment to prepare and support our host families. YFU USA has a dedicated, caring team of volunteers and staff to support you and your student. The most important member of our team is your local volunteer – your personal contact and your most valuable resource.