High School Study Abroad Programs

• We offer 200 merit-based scholarships. Your family’s ability to pay program tuition will not affect your chances of winning a scholarship. To learn more about these, you may visit our scholarship page.
• In addition to our merit-based scholarship awards, limited needs-based financial aid is also available to enrolled YFU students.
• Many of our students are able to fundraise a portion (or sometimes all!) of their program tuition. Check out our fundraising page.

We take all precautionary measures to ensure our student’s safety and your peace of mind. YFU programs have exchanged more than 270,000 students since 1951, many of these years coinciding with war or international conflict. As global tensions and political uncertainty are inevitable, our top priority continues to be student safety. YFU is evaluated annually by oversight agencies. We are proud to consistently receive Full Listing in all three J-1 Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) listing categories: Inbound Long-term, Outbound Long-term and Short-term Inbound/Outbound programs.

The ideal time for high school students to study abroad can begin as early as 9th grade, typically when students are around 15 years old. Starting from this age allows students to fully immerse themselves in a new cultural and educational environment, fostering early development in language skills and cultural adaptability.
This year strikes a balance between giving students enough high school experience to prepare them for the challenges of living abroad and allowing them to return home for their senior year, which is crucial for college applications and graduation preparations.

Yes! High school students should consider studying abroad if the opportunity arises. This experience can positively impact their learning journey, as they are exposed to new cultures, languages, and ways of thinking.
It fosters independence, enhances intercultural communication skills, and often leads to lifelong friendships and connections. Additionally, studying abroad can provide a competitive edge in college admissions and future job markets. It’s an invaluable experience that broadens horizons and contributes significantly to personal and academic growth.

• If you are going for a semester or year-long program, you will need to get a visa or residence permit. You can find information about this process on consulate and embassy websites for your host country.
• If you are accepted into the program, you will receive more information on how to obtain your visa.

• Host families come in all different shapes and sizes. Most host families are made up of a mother, father, and children, but that can vary by country. It is not guaranteed that your host siblings will be your age.

• Yes! Many of our country partners will consider overage or underage students on a case-by-case basis. If you want to ask about your specific situation, please call 1.800.TEENAGE to speak with an Admissions Counselor.
• We also offer Young Adult Programs, including Gap year.

• Extending your stay in a country depends on many different factors. Some student visas will not allow you to extend your stay when you are not in school in your host country.
• Please get in touch with an admissions counselor if you have specific questions about extending your trip.

• Yes! You will be able to travel with your host family if you have approval from your natural parents as well as your host YFU program.
• YFU students are not typically permitted to travel overnight without a host parent.

• Acceptances are made on a rolling basis, so early submission is highly encouraged. Students who apply to specific programs earlier will be notified earlier. Fall/Summer program applicants will be notified of their status in May. Winter/Spring program applicants will be notified no later than November.

• Only your high school can agree to accept your international credits upon your return home. YFU does not guarantee credit transfers from your international school to your local high school for semester or year programs. All that being said, students are often able to stay on track when they’re proactive with their American high school and guidance counselors before program departure. To help you along, you can find additional information on our School Credit Guideline document.

• Application fees and enrollment deposits are non-refundable. Tuition refunds are given in accordance with the following schedule. If YFU USA receives written notification of cancellation:
• Prior to March 15 (for summer departure programs) or October 1 (for winter departure programs), YFU will retain the non-refundable application fee and enrollment deposit. All other tuition paid will be refunded.
• After March 15 (for summer departure programs) or October 1 (for winter departure programs), YFU will retain $3,000. All other tuition paid will be refunded.
• After departure to the host country, participants are not eligible for any refund.

YFU USA Programs are subject to change or cancellation. In the event that my child’s Program is cancelled, I will have the opportunity to choose another YFU USA Program if a suitable Program is available or obtain a tuition refund (less the non-refundable application fee).

YFU reserves the right to reassess the status of accepted students based on new information or behavior prior to departure, and cancel program participation. In these cases, YFU will refund all tuition paid except the non-refundable application fee and enrollment deposit.

• Many expenses are included in your tuition, though you will need to budget separately for some costs like passport fees, visa fees (which may consist of travel if you are required to appear in person at a consulate), personal spending money, luggage tariffs, any applicable international airport taxes, optional trips, personal expenses, telephone calls, property damage, and some school expenses such as books or uniforms which are not included in your tuition.
• The amount of money you will spend overseas depends on your spending and saving habits, the country you are going to, and the current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar. You should budget money for clothes, toiletries, snacks, postage, entertainment, and any other miscellaneous expenses you may incur while on exchange. On average, students in year and semester programs spend approximately $150-$300 a month while students in a summer program spend around $300-$500 (total).

TRAVEL EXPENSES

• • Domestic and international airfare
  • International Gateway Airport assistance
  • Airfare for National Pre-Departure Orientation (year & semester students)

COUNTRY SUPPORT

• • Enrollment in a school
  • Placement with a carefully selected host family
  • National Office and YFU Area Representative support while on the program

STUDENT SUPPORT

• • Student Support Staff available 24 hours/day
  • Volunteer training and expense reimbursement

ORIENTATION

• • Staffed, professional orientations in-person and/or via remote platforms.
  • Curriculum and materials
  • National Pre-Departure Orientation (year & semester students) – lodging, local travel, food, & airfare

PROGRAM SUPPORT

• • Registration (application review & enrollment)
  • Publications & Materials
  • Promotional items

OVERHEAD

• • Operational expenses, YFU offices, utilities, and telecommunications (1.800.TEENAGE)

Absolutely! One way to do this is to think about the elevator pitch you’ve created. Can you turn it into a 60-second (2-minute max) video? Videos allow you to creatively share your story and raise awareness of your need.

• Everyone has their strengths, so what are you good at doing? Use your skills and talents in creative ways to raise funds.
• Arts sale: If you are artistic, you can make drawings, paintings, or sculptures and organize an Art sale, same procedure as for a bake sale, but with your nice items.
• Morning coffee: Do you live close to where people pass on their morning commute? Give a try to a morning coffee stand, right where they pass to the bus metro or walk to their office.
• Garage Sale: You probably have things you no longer need, cannot use, or dislike. You can also ask your club, church, or family if they have items they would donate so that you can organize a garage sale or have a table at a flea market.
• International evening: Invite family, friends, and neighbors to an international evening. Ask some people to support you by making food from different countries and donating it to your evening. Charge everyone a small fee for participating in the evening. You can also use the evening to talk about the country you want to go to on your exchange and let your friends know more about its culture and why you want to go there.
• Holiday decorations: For the Holidays in your country, be creative and make holiday decorations representing the country to which you want to go on exchange. You can sell cards, window decorations, ornaments, wreaths, cookies, etc.

When you apply be sure also to check out our scholarships page. YFU has been selected to administer more government and corporate scholarships than any other high school exchange program. With 200 full and partial scholarships awarded to help students’ dreams of travel and learning become realities, there’s bound to be one you’re eligible for!

Have an idea or need some help getting started? Contact one of our Representatives at info@yfu.org or 1.800.TEENAGE.

From the moment your teenager returns home, you’ll notice a difference. Most parents of YFU students say their teen returned with greater confidence and maturity. But more importantly, YFU students see changes within. From having a stronger sense of the world to personal growth and being more adaptable in unfamiliar situations, YFU students truly discover another part of themselves—a part that will benefit them forever.

YFU students gain a global perspective that makes them ideal college candidates. Students improve their language competency and may earn advanced language placement in college.

When employers select a YFU alumnus, they know they are making a solid investment in a person who is flexible and has an elevated level of maturity, superior problem-solving skills, and an intuitive understanding of another country and its people. In today’s competitive job market, fluency in another language coupled with the ability to comprehend another culture gives YFU exchange students career advantages they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“My child was able to not only apply language skills, but also learn about the culture and country.”
“It gave my son a chance to grow and mature. It gave him a confidence in himself you get from doing things that are just beyond your grasp.”
“YFU was a trustworthy program. My daughter gained an experience that is so rare to others her age.”

YFU provides you and your child with the support, logistics and tools for a safe exchange experience. From helping select a program and orientation to travel and airport assistance, your student will be guided and supported throughout their journey. All students are placed with a carefully screened host family, enrolled in school (semester or year programs), and have access to counseling, tutoring, and worldwide emergency assistance around the clock. When you choose YFU for your son or daughter, you select an international community with more than 70 years of global exchange experience. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

We take all precautionary measures to ensure our student’s safety and your peace of mind. YFU programs have exchanged more than 270,000 students since 1951, many of these years coinciding with war or international conflict. As global tensions and political uncertainty are inevitable, our top priority continues to be student safety. YFU is evaluated annually by oversight agencies. We are proud to consistently receive complete listings in all three J-1 Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) listing categories: Inbound Long-term, Outbound Long-term, and Short-term Inbound/Outbound programs.