Immerse yourself in language classes, explore your creativity in the arts or music, or pursue your interests in sports as you discover another culture! YFU offers high school students and recent graduates the opportunity to combine a traditional homestay exchange experience with a variety of unique programs for the most exciting year of your life!
Visual and Performing Arts
Art
Focus on pencil drawing and watercolors, or try your hand at pottery, metalwork, or artistic woodcarving. Study architectural art or fashion design. Even perfect a specialty like textiles or leatherwork with YFU’s visual and media arts offerings in these countries:
Belgium | Chile | Estonia | Italy | Latvia
Music
Train among the finest schools in Europe and South America with lessons in piano, organ, voice, and a variety of instruments. Join the school orchestra choir, or perform with your theater company while learning music theory, solfeggio, or conducting in these countries:
Belgium | Chile | Czech Republic | Estonia | Hungary | Italy | Latvia
Dance
Immerse yourself in the traditions of ballet or ballroom while studying in one of YFU’s specialty dance programs. Students can expect a rigorous curriculum in the rhythm and techniques of dance alongside their traditional studies. New to dancing? Beginner programs are offered as well! Check the country pages below for more information:
Language and Culture
Bilingual School
See your host country in two languages and refine your skills through one of YFU’s exciting bilingual programs abroad. Study at the C.S. Lewis School in beautiful Bratislava, challenge yourself in Italian and French while studying humanities at a bilingual school in Italy, or focus on your Spanish studies at a Spanish/English intensive program in vibrant Mexico. See below for our list of bilingual school offerings:
Czech Republic | Hungary | Italy
Intensive Summer Language and Culture Programs
YFU summer programs offers you the opportunity to learn the culture like no tourist could. YFU summer programs are traditional homestay programs, where you’ll live with a host family and participate in family activities throughout the summer. Imagine spending the summer exploring the wonders of Japan with a local family, shopping for food in a marketplace in Greece, or finding your way to the beach in a sunny Spanish town. You’ll learn how another culture lives, works, and learns from the inside. Summer programs range from three to nine weeks; most leave in mid-June.
Argentina | Ecuador | Greece | Japan | Korea | Paraguay | Spain | Thailand | Uruguay
Sports and Outdoors
Sports
Combine general subjects with coursework in sports while studying in abroad! Study physiology, anatomy, sports theory, and fitness while you practice swimming, basketball, gymnastics, soccer, handball, tennis, dance, badminton, or volleyball. Interested in experiencing sports abroad as a spectator? Check out Lithuania’s basketball sports fan program for a chance to see your local teams play!
Belgium | Czech Republic | Hungary | South Africa
Nature
Learn about the environment and nature alongside traditional academics in YFU’s Nature Programs. You will take numerous trips while on program to explore and learn about the region’s environmental issues. These programs are perfect for adventurous nature lovers and may include trips to national parks, camping, skiing, ice-fishing, canoeing, and bird-watching.
Other Specialty Programs
Looking to add a unique, one-of-a-kind experience to your time abroad? Learn new skills, engage your interests, and gain a new perspective on your host country with YFU’s additional specialty programs. Challenge yourself in advanced courses at an International Baccalaureate school in Italy, or give back to your host community with volunteer opportunities in Paraguay. Click on the links below for more information on these countries’ specialty offerings.
Argentina (Higher Education or Volunteer programs) | Belgium (Fashion) | Czech Republic (Vocational) | Estonia (IT or Film and Media) | Italy (Science or Tourism) | Paraguay (Volunteer)
Interested in a traditional academic or short term program abroad?
See YFU’s Academic Programs page or Summer Programs page for more offerings.
