Would you host an exchange student from Iran?
That question might surprise you. Today, YFU can’t even offer exchanges with Iran—but decades ago, we did. In 1978, a student named Setareh came from Iran to a small-town high school in Illinois. While she was here, the Iranian Revolution unfolded back home, and she couldn’t return. She stayed, went to college, and built a life in the U.S.
Her presence changed lives, including Scott’s. He was a freshman when Setareh was a senior. Inspired by her, he went on an exchange to Belgium two years later. That experience shaped his worldview and his future.
This story reminds us: exchange students don’t just learn—they teach. They inspire. They connect us across cultures and generations.
But right now, YFU faces two major challenges:
- Federal grant funding is disappearing. The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program ends in 2026, and another key program is being cut by over 60%.
- Visa hurdles are increasing. Fewer students are able to come to the U.S., and our inbound numbers have dropped from 400 to just 315.
These changes threaten YFU’s ability to continue its mission. That’s why we’ve launched a campaign to raise $75,000 for our 75th Anniversary—to ensure we can keep building bridges across borders.
Your donation:
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Supports aspiring youth ambassadors from around the world
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Provides scholarships and program access
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Sustains our operations through uncertain times
Exchange isn’t just about travel—it’s about transformation. It’s about young people like Setareh and Scott, and the ripple effects they create.
Will you make a gift today that continue shaping global citizens?
Let’s make 2026 a year of strength, celebration, and connection.
