The Learning Adventure of a Lifetime

  Australia

• Melbourne: 
Melbourne
• Sydney: 
Sydney
• Adelaide: 
Adelaide
• Gold Coast: 
Gold Coast
• Perth: 
Perth
• Brisbane: 
Brisbane
• Canberra: 
Canberra
• Great Barrier Reef: 
Great Barrier Reef
• New South Wales: 
Wollongong,  Lismore,  Armidale,  Newcastle,  Byron Bay,  Wagga Wagga,  Albury,  Bathurst,  Albury-Woodonga,  Brunswick Heads,  Maitland,  North Ryde NSW,  Crescent Head,  Lennox Head,  Gerroa,  Hornsby,  Surry Hills,  Katoomba,  Blue Mountains,  Coffs Harbour
• Queensland: 
Rockhampton,  Toowoomba,  Townsville,  Cairns,  Yungaburra,  Hervey Bay,  Queensland,  Fraser Island,  Noosa,  Port Douglas,  Douglas Shire,  Goomeri,  Proserpine,  Atherton,  Capalaba,  Cape Tribulation,  Gatton,  Hawthorne,  Gladstone,  Mackay,  Bundaberg
• Northern Territory: 
Alice Springs,  Darwin,  Kakadu,  Ayers Rock
• South Australia: 
Warramboo,  Kingscote
• Western Australia: 
Broome,  Fremantle,  Exmouth
• Victoria: 
Geelong,  Bendigo,  Ballarat,  Latrobe,  Central Highlands,  Torquay
• Tasmania: 
Hobart,  Launceston,  Tasmania,  Port Arthur,  Strahan
• Sunshine Coast: 
Sunshine Coast

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing
• Shanghai: 
Shanghai
• All Other Areas in China: 
Guangzhou,  Ji'an,  Hefei,  Dongyang,  Haimen

  Ghana

• Accra: 
Accra

  South Korea

• Busan: 
Busan (Pusan)
• Seoul: 
Seoul
• All Other Areas: 
Daegu,  Andong,  Anseong,  Anyang,  Bucheon City,  Pohang,  Uijongbu (Uijeongbu),  Bundang,  Changwon,  Taejon (Daejon),  Chin-ju (Jinju),  Ulsan,  Masan,  Kimhae (Gimhae),  Geoje,  Gumi,  Gunsan,  Incheon,  Suwon,  Mokpo,  Cheongju,  Yangsan,  Yeongju,  Yeosu,  Gimhae,  Chun-Ju,  Dong-hae city,  Gimpo City,  Gwang Ju,  Jeju City,  Jeonju,  Suncheon,  Pyeongtaek,  Wonju,  Guri,  Chuncheon,  Sokcho,  Handong,  Gyeonggi,  Ansan,  Naju,  Sacheon,  Goyang

  Spain

• Santander: 
Santander

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Dates: See website

Description: Get ready to embark on a journey of discovery. A Youth For Understanding USA (YFU) study abroad program is an experience that will immerse you in the lives, cultures, and communities of a real family in one of 40 countries around the globe. An adventure where you'll learn--in a year, semester or a summer--what life is like for teens in another part of the world. An experience that will change you and your view of our planet forever.

A YFU exchange program is the learning adventure of a lifetime. YFU is a homestay experience where you live with a carefully selected host family who has agreed to open their home and their hearts to you--providing room, board and a caring home. You'll gain a global family, make new friends and even attend a new school on academic programs. Have a journey you could never have imagined at home, and you'll discover that the YFU experience is a powerful engine for personal growth.

YFU also offers Gap year study abroad opportunities for graduating seniors. On a YFU gap year you learn a new culture and language by living with a host family in a host community. Academic programs vary by country: In some, you will attend a local high school, in others you will participate in college-level courses. Other options include programs with a focus on the arts, cultural tours and more. We've just updated our website visit for details.

Highlights:
* Australia:
Experience all aspects of "the land down under", from metropolitan cities to glistening coastlines and an expanse of Australian outback in a summer, semester, or three month program. All students have the option to participate in cultural activities and excursions that may include a safari around Australia, an excursion to the famous Gold Coast in Queensland or a trip along the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne. Students in academic programs will participate in Australian schools, benefiting from their high standards of education and variety of courses available to students.

* China:
Come experience the fascinating and ancient culture of the People's Republic of China as it undergoes profound economic and social transformation into the 21st century. Our summer program in China allows students to split their six weeks between the busting capital of Beijing as well as the flashy and cosmopolitan city of Shanghai. Students will spend mornings learning about Chinese language and culture while afternoons are reserved to use your skills and knowledge to explore your community.

* Ghana:
Spend a summer, semester, or year in this beautiful and historic African nation. Learn while you serve with YFU's unique community service program that allows students to become involved in their community at day care centers, orphanages, YMCAs and institutions for the physically challenged. In addition to experiencing the local culture firsthand through your homestay with a Ghanaian host family, you will get the chance to see Ghana through a variety of trips and tours that may be planned including museums and historic sites, parks and reserves in the countryside, government buildings and institutions in Accra and cultural and academic centers.

* Korea:
Immerse yourself in Korea, a mix of ancient traditions and modern ways of daily life, for a summer or a year program. You will be placed with a host family and experience Korea's strong family ties and customs firsthand. Summer students may visit schools and year students will attend a four or five day orientation before they begin attending a Korean school. Your may visit old Royal Palaces, the Seoul Tower or famous market places and see the blend of old and new culture in this beautiful country.

* Spain - Santander:
Enjoy learning Spanish this summer in the costal town of Santander. This town has been called, The Ideal City for its beautiful weather and beaches and sophisticated, kind Santanderinos. Students in this four-week language and culture program will attend Spanish classes in the mornings and cultural activities are planned for many afternoons. Activities may include Latin dance classes, museum tours, beach volleyball, night bullfights, daytrips, and more.

Cost in US$: See website, price varies by program

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Youth For Understanding USA's Mission Statement: Youth For Understanding (YFU) prepares young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world.

Year Founded: YFU in 1951