YFU’s only short-term, adult-centered program allows you to live the nomadic lifestyle and experience life in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital and most populous city. We invite participants aged 18 to 118 to experience life as you have never experienced before in Mongolia! The program departs in June 2025.
Choose Your Program
As a YFU participant in Mongolia, you will live with a nomadic host family for the first week and a host family in Ulaanbaatar during the second part of your stay.
YFU’s program to Mongolia consists of a two-week homestay, the first week with a nomadic host family and the second with a family residing in the city of Ulaanbaatar. While your evenings and weekends will be spent with both families, your days will include sight-seeing and educational expeditions organized by YFU. Volunteers and staff from the YFU Mongolia office will serve as your chaperones while on the program and assist you where needed.
- July 1: Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport Ulaanbaatar, shuttle bus to the hotel, arrival orientation.
- July 2-8: Departure to Nomadic host family in Jarga lant soum, Tuv province
- July 8: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and stay at a hotel.
- July 9-13: Cultural activities and time with city host families
- July 13: YFU Mongolia farewell party and pre-departure seminar
- July 14: Departure to home country, International flight from Ulaanbaatar
Due to the temporary yurt accommodations typical of the countryside and the exposed conditions, especially in rural Mongolia, this trip requires the willingness to sacrifice comfort from time to time.
Physical fitness and experience with outdoor or adventure travel are advantages. In addition, the willingness to be adaptable is a plus for enjoying accommodation with host families.
Mongolian cuisine is very rich in meat. Although a vegetarian diet is easily possible in Ulaanbaatar, this poses a more significant challenge in rural areas. Participants with a vegetarian diet should be aware of this limitation.
- 2024 Summer Departures: Upon arrival in Mongolia, adults must be at least 18 years of age. Anyone born before July 1, 2006, is welcome to apply. There is no upper age limit!
- Younger persons born after July 1, 2006, will not be considered for admission as this is an adult program.
Discovery Mongolia 2-Week Program Tuition: $3,799
- Two days hotel in Ulaanbaatar city
- 5-day placement with a nomadic host family
- 5-day placement with a host family in Ulaanbaatar
- Airport transfers
- Domestic travel
- All pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
- Arrival seminar and farewell party
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from YFU support staff while on the program
Tuition DOES NOT INCLUDE
- International airfare to Mongolia
- Travel Insurance ($75 – $175)
Participants will be placed with two carefully selected Mongolian host families.
Mongolia is the perfect destination for anyone looking to experience a country still in touch with its nature and ancient traditions. A place rich in tradition, you’ll experience both the city and the steppe.
As a YFU participant, you will spend one week living with a nomadic family and one week living with a new family in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. While in Ulaanbaatar, celebrate the traditional festival Naadam with your host family and other YFU participants.
Scholarships are NOT available for this YFU Adult Program.
Discover Mongolia 2-Week Program Tuition: $3,799
Summer departure application and deposit are due May 1st.
- You must submit a $1000 deposit to complete your enrollment.
- Tuition balance must be paid in full by May 15th.
- Please note that international travel to Ulaanbaatar and travel insurance are required but not included in the price.
Visa Information
Participants will not need a visa for the short-term adult Ecuador programs; they will need a valid US passport.
Additional Costs
Participants are responsible for obtaining a passport before departure. Program tuition does not include personal spending money.
Please note that international travel to Ulaanbaatar and travel insurance are required but not included in the price.
