American Students

and their Parents.

Change Your Life,
Change Your World.

Alumni Referral

If you would like to learn about the experiences of YFU students, please e-mail your questions to any of these YFU Alumni. They have all participated in a YFU program and would be glad to share their YFU experience with you. When sending an e-mail, please include:

  • YFU in the subject line
  • Your name, age, and city/state
  • Country, length, and year of program that you are interested in

If you have questions regarding specific program components, admissions, tuition and scholarships, or other program-specific information, please e-mail our admissions office. You may also talk to an admissions counselor by calling toll-free 1.800.TEENAGE (1.800.833.6243).

Alumni Referral List

*Alumni with an asterisk next to their program name were scholarship recipients.

  • Country/Program
    First Name
    Quote
  • Argentina
    Semester
    Jackie
    If I could say anything about my exchange, I would say it was life changing. I will never think or be the same again. I can actually say that I no longer see in just yellow or blue but I see in green. Doing an exchange will change you and your worldly outlook for the rest of your life. DO IT! IT COULD BE THE BEST THING YOU DO TO DATE!
  • Australia
    Semester
    Karen
    Going on an exchange to Australia was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I was able to try so many new things like surfing, feeding and playing with kangaroos, meeting people from all over the world, and learning a whole new culture. This exchange opened my eyes to all the wonderful things we have in this world. I would strongly recommend going on an exchange because every day is an adventure, and it is the neatest feeling at the end of your exchange to look back and see how you came to a new country knowing no one and by the end, you have close friends, your host family really is like a second family, and you feel like that country is your home-away-from-home. Going on exchange to Australia was definitely an excellent decision!
  • Brazil
    Summer Discover Brazil
    Alicia
    Being an exchange student with YFU changed my entire way of life. It opened my mind to things I never thought possible, and I will be forever grateful that I was able to have the opportunity.
    Summer * Explore Amazonia
    Kristen
    Spending the summer in Brasil was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had! I am willing to answer any questions and I am available just to talk... even if you aren't going to Brasil. Being an exchange student is a life-changing experience and I would love to share anything and everything about my time abroad!
  • Chile
    Summer
    Eboni
    Summer
    Nancy
    Hola! I'm happy to answer questions you may have before your trip or even if you're just scoping out programs. Going on a cultural exchange is a fantastic experience, and Chile is a great country to visit. Exchanges can be challenging, overwhelming, exciting, and best of all (well, at least in my opinion) open your mind to other cultures and values. You'll learn a lot about yourself too-even though it sounds cliché.
  • China
    Year
    Di
    Di is from China and spent a year in the US. He is available to answer any questions about China that you may have.
  • Denmark
    Year
    Ky'lea
    If I had one piece of advise about going on exchange it would be to go expecting nothing; that way no matter what you get you will enjoy it to the fullest instead of being disappointed about it not being what you thought it would be. Going on exchange to Denmark was the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me, it changed my opinion on just about everything and opened my eyes to so many wonderful things. The experience I had was truly fantastic and all I can say is that if you get the chance to go on exchange anywhere take it and run. I would love to answer any questions you have about going on exchange.
  • Ecuador
    Year *
    Mallory
    Ecuador is such an interesting country. I lived in Ibarra in the mountains, but we went on trips to the coast, rainforest, and the Galapagos islands while I was there. The people are very friendly and open and I will definitely be going back to visit in the future. After I got over the culture shock it really was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life.
  • Finland
    Summer *
    Aparna
    My summer in Finland was definitely an interesting experience. Finland is such a different country. The Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange Scholarship is a wonderful scholarship. You will inevitably make 13 new friends and have so much fun with them over the course of the summer! I had an awesome summer that I will never forget. Feel free to contact me anytime.
  • Russia
    Summer*
    Dan
    Russia is such an amazing country, containing wide open tracks of land as well as major metropolises such as Moscow and St. Petersburg. I am so glad I was able to go there and see for myself the beautiful architecture of Moscow as well as the rolling country. I recommend someone going to Russia to have an open mind and be very flexible. Feel free to contact me with any questions you might have.
  • Finland
    Summer *
    Chris
    The summer of 2007 provided me with new experiences everywhere I went as I lived in Turku, Finland. Being in a country as unique as Finland I was always intrigued by the new language and the constant surprises that everyday brought. I was fortunate to visit many areas around the country, as well as make many great friends. Finland may be stereotypically reserved and quiet, but there were so many opportunities that made my summer one of the most outstanding ever. I also documented my summer with pictures on ccfinland.blogspot.com
    Summer
    Julia
    Hyvää päivää! Immersing myself in the Finnish way of life last summer, I spent much time with my host family at Lake Päijänne, where the beautiful hues of greens and blues formed a picturesque backdrop for fishing and picking berries. Relaxing in the sauna was a daily ritual, and I loved learning about the Finnish culture of sisu, folk and metal music, Muumi, and organic design while sharing my own with my host family and new friends. I am more than happy to help and answer any questions you may have about embarking on an awe-inspiring exchange!
  • France
    Year
    Maya
  • Germany
    Year *
    Sarah
    My year in Germany was the best experience I have ever had in my whole life. My time spent there taught me so much. I feel in love with the German culture, the beautiful countryside, and the great people. I learned so much about myself and I know I am going to carry these experiences with me for the rest of my life. Going over to Germany as an exchange student was probably the best decision I could have ever made.
    Semester *
    Mallory
    A semester just isn't enough time to fully understand another culture. I wanted to stay the year, but my mom wouldn't let me! I lived in the western part of Germany near Cologne. German isn't nearly as hard as they make it out to be.
  • Greece
    Summer
    Mike
    Going to Greece was the best choice I ever made. By experiencing another culture and seeing completely new things, I now have a completely different outlook on life.
  • Hungary
    Year
    Elli
    I was the happiest I've ever been in my life during my exchange year in Hungary. I learned about the culture, the language, but more importantly I learned about myself. With my host family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and host-relatives, I grew so much as a person and had the time of my life.
  • Japan
    Year
    Deborah
    Summer *
    Brian
    Japan has a mysterious way of sticking in your mind and soul. Though I was only in Japan for six weeks, the experiences I gained there will last me my entire life. I would love to share my experiences with anyone. No question is too big or too small. I am happy to know that I can help other kids in starting this exciting journey to the land of the rising sun!
    Summer *
    Chris
    The summer of 2006 that I spent in Saga, Japan, lived up to everything I was so excited to experience and then some. I made so many great friends since I was able to attend high school with my host sister who was my age. Talking about Japan is something I absolutely love doing, and I am more than happy to answer anything from language and culture to packing. I also documented my summer with pictures on ccjapan.blogspot.com.
    Summer *
    Jared
    I spent the summer of '03 in Kawasaki, halfway between Tokyo and Yokohama, and it turned my life completely upside-down. I spent about three weeks at a Japanese high school and visited several famous and amazing places with my host family. Now I'm in the Japanese Department at Purdue, so feel free to ask any questions and I'll do my best to help out.
    Summer *
    Jennifer
    I spent an amazing six weeks in a small town called Ide-cho, Japan, in between the cities of Kyoto and Nara. My host family was very different from my actual family, and I learned a whole new way of life! I'm from Alaska, which is very dry and cold, so going to Japan in the summer was a big climate difference for me! If you're interested in going to Japan, or know you are going and have some questions, feel free to ask! I know how important it is to have even those seemingly frivolous concerns addressed!
    Summer *
    Jessica
    I didn't know any Japanese before I went, but I didn't run into many difficulties. If you have any questions about school, family life, shopping, what gifts to bring... how to avoid eating fish (that was difficult!), or anything else, I'd love to answer your questions!
    Summer *
    Kalpita
    I was in Kumamoto, Japan in the summer of 2006. Kumamoto is on the island of Kyushu. I had a wonderful time there and I will never forget what I've learned from Japan. I was on a corporate scholarship and would like to help anyone with any questions.
    Summer *
    Mandy
    Being an exchange student was the single most amazing experience of my life. I spent six weeks in Nanjo, Okinawa living with a host family and attending school. When I first found out I was going to Okinawa, I was actually disappointed, because I had heard it was completely different from the rest of Japan. But it's the unique culture that makes Okinawa so fascinating. After spending six weeks there, I can't imagine having been anywhere else. It was incredible. The only regret I have about my experience is that I didn't go for a year.
    Summer *
    Michelle
    I had the most amazing summer of my life. If I had only found out about it sooner, I would have gone for a year in a heartbeat. What is so funny is that Japan was practically my last choice for my scholarships, and after going there I cannot imagine having been anywhere else. It has been over 3 years and I am still in constant contact with my host family. It is an amazing feeling to know that I still have a best friend on the other side of the world
    Summer *
    Patricia
    Summer *
    Nikki
    Hi, my name is Nikki. I was born and raised in Hawaii but currently reside in Oregon attending college. I went to Sendai, Japan during the summer of 2005 on the Japanese-American Friendship Scholarship. I had an awesome time with my host family and friends I made at school. I was older than both my host siblings but it was still a lot of fun hanging out with them.
    Summer *
    Regina
    I experienced island life in parts of Okinawa and stayed on Ishigaki-Jima. Any questions about island Oki lifestyle, schooling, weather, etc. I could definitely answer!
    Summer *
    Susan
    My exchange experience with YFU has changed the way I view family. My original homestay was in Shimane, Japan in 2002 for six weeks. Shimane is one of the most rural areas of Japan, and I'm from a part of South Florida that's anything but rural. Anyway, I had a blast there, and my host family were the sweetest people I'd ever met. After my exchange, my host-sister, Kanako, decided to come to America through YFU and stayed with my family for a year. It still impresses me how much my family and my life has been affected by a six-week exchange program.
  • Korea
    Summer
    Amber
  • Brazil
    Summer*
    Jordan
    The food, the occasional mispronunciation, the food, driving around Brasilia with my host sisters, the food, exchanging opinions and perceptions with my host parents, and…oh, did I forget to mention the food? The summer of ’08 was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. A small town girl from eastern Kentucky getting the opportunity to travel to and actually live in a foreign country…a rare privilege that YFU and Toyota Manufacturing blessed me with. Feel free to contact me and we will chat about YFU, travel, Brasil, or anything that is on your mind!
  • France
    Summer*
    Sarah
  • Norway
    Semester
    Melissa
    I also lived in Finnmark. Although times were trying, I made it through and fell in love with the country and its' people. It was a wonderful experience that has helped me grow in so many ways and I wouldn't trade it for anything else!
  • Germany
    Year*
    Kristin
    Having an opportunity to study abroad in Germany is one that I'm glad I didn't pass up. It was perhaps the best year of my life. I grew in so many different ways and experienced a lot that I never expected. I would definitely recommend studying abroad to anyone and would love to answer any questions about my year.
  • Spain
    Summer Language & Culture
    Emily
    I lived on the green northern coast of Spain in the city of Santander. Going through the learning process of developing familiarity with a new language and culture encouraged me to see a new perspective on the world as a whole. Because of my exchange experience, I have become a world traveler and am now teaching English in South Korea. My advice: go through YFU, don't have expectations, let your experience be your own...and love it. Email me with any questions!
  • Sweden
    Summer *
    Janet
    Hej hej fran Svergie! YFU's Sweden exchange changed my life dramatically. My host family expanded my perspective of life and showed me the beautiful benefits of experiencing international activities. Because of my summer in Sweden, I am attending the University of London in the fall for a three-year BA and am working at the United Nations in New York City as a summer intern. If you have any questions about the country, the people, the food (like sugar strawberries in a bowl of milk), feel free to contact me!
  • Switzerland
    Year (German)
    Karen
  • Uruguay
    Year
    Josh
    Going to Uruguay with YFU shaped my life. Since then, I've been in two dozen countries, done two other [university] study abroad programs and lived in over half a dozen of the countries that I've visited. Uruguay amazed me and I long to go back. I still keep in touch with my family and hope to be with them again soon!
  • Japan
    Summer*
    Alayna
    I really didn’t know how to react when I found out I would spend my summer in Osaka City, Japan. Where would the green mountains and rice fields I had imagined waking up to each morning? However, Osaka soon stole my heart, and I now regard it as my second hometown! I was blessed with a fantastic host family, and one of my favorite memories was learning to cook a Japanese meal from my host mother. I would LOVE to answer any questions you have, whether they be about city life, making friends, Japanese food, or even how to study Japanese before you go (I recommend this!!) Feel free to email me anytime!
  • Brazil
    Summer*
    Meagan
    Being an exchange student is an opportunity you will never forget. My experience was filled with many memories that will last the rest of my life and it opened my mind to a more diverse outlook on life. If you have any questions or concerns I would be happy to help you!
  • Sweden
    Year
    Nikole
    My 13th year in Stockholm, Sweden was one of the best decisions I ever made! I learned a language, made great friends, and got to experience a very different way of life. Over the year, I got to compete on a track team, see the Noble Prize speeches, celebrate midsummer festival, go to concerts, and watch Mamma Mia of course!
  • France
    Semester
    Sarah
  • Japan
    Summer*
    Annie
    I spent my 2008 summer in a little paradise called Okinawa- which I'd like to call the Hawaii of Japan. Okinawa was definitely not what I imagined it be like. The island is rich with Ryukuun traditions and a very unique province, different from mainland Japan. My host family was incredibly kind and loving. They welcomed me into their warm family environment and together we happily sweated through the intense island heat. Which was a great contrast to the unpredictable weather in the Midwest! On this small island, every day there was an adventure for me. I cherished each day there embracing all the new cultural differences, and still do to this day. Feel free to send me all your questions and concerns, I'd be more than happy to help you make the most of your experience. Whether it be one email or five hundred, I'll try my best to answer all your questions to the best of my ability.

Please contact us at alumni@yfu.org if you have questions or problems with a particular e-mail address.

If you are a recently returned alumna/us and would like to be on the Alumni Referral list, please visit the YFU USA Alumni web site.

Thank you for participating!