YFU Interest Form

Dear Parents and Students,Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Youth For Understanding Studentexchange program. Attached you will find detailed information about YFU Canada(Fact Sheet, Common Questions, Message to Parents) and application guidelines.Each programs listed is subject to availability. http://www.yfu.caIf you would like information on fundraising ideas or available scholarshipscurrently being offered please contact us and we will discuss these options with you.Use the information provided to select the country that is right for you. Then takethe first step to becoming a YFU exchange student by filling out the enclosed interestsurvey form. Send your completed survey form to the office. There is anadministration fee $50.00 that is used in the first stage of processing yourapplication.Please read all of the information carefully and if you or your parents have anyfurther questions call the YFU Canada office during regular business hours and wewill be happy to answer them for you. You can reach us at519 653 0550 or 877 516 9111.YFU Canada is looking forward to the arrival of your application and invites you tojoin our international family of exchange students around the world. Youradventure is just beginning! Go Global With YFU Canada!Youth For Understanding InternationalExchange YFU CanadaFacts: Dr. Rachel Andresen established the Youth For Understanding (YFU) International Exchange Program in 1951.

YFU is a non-profit international student exchange program with offices in over 50 countries around the world. YFU Canadas office is located at 7 Roseview Avenue, Cambridge, Ontario. YFU Inc. the programs International headquarters is located in Bethesda, MD USA. YFUs mission is to promote world peace through global understanding. YFU Canada provides six-week summer, semester and year programs for Canadian high school students ages 15 to 18 years. On semester and year programs students live with a host family and attend school in their host country. International students from 13 different countries attend high school and live with host families in Canada for 10 months. YFU is a volunteer based program. Volunteers assist in recruiting, screening and supporting students, host families and other volunteers. They are essential to every part of the program. Host families are volunteers who open their homes and hearts to international students for a school year and are rewarded with a lifetime experience. Community volunteers who are trained in cross-cultural issues give support to host families and students during the stay to help cope with cultural adjustments. Optimist International through support from local Optimist clubs recognizes and promotes the YFU exchange program to Canadian Youth. The majority of our funding comes from program fees. The balance of our revenue comes from donations from service clubs or individuals. We are a registered non-profit organization. Embrace The World - Become Part Of The International YFU Family! COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLYING TO YFU CANADADo I have to speak a foreign language to qualify?No. You do not need to know the language of the YFU countries that we exchangewith. If you do speak a foreign language it will make communications easier butmost students pick up a new language quickly.Can I go if I have already graduated from high school?You may be able to go on the YFU semester or summer program as long as you donot turn 19 before you leave. Students over 18 will be considered on a case-by casebasis.

When will I find out who my host family is?You will get the name and address of the host family as soon as the host countryinforms us. This may be many months or perhaps just weeks before your departure.It is important to realize that it takes time to find the host family that is just right foryou.Does my family have to host an exchange student?No. However, if your family is interested in having an international experience atthe same time as you go on exchange we are always looking for great host families.Your family would provide free room and board for the student and they wouldattend the local high school. Hosting can be a fabulous experience for any family.YFU Canada offers incentives if your own family decides to host an internationalexchange student.What does the money from my tuition include?YFU Canada is a non-profit organization. The tuition fees go to cover airfare,comprehensive medical, dental and travel insurance, and the expenses and 24 hoursupport services of the YFU staff and volunteers in YFU Canada and the YFU office inyour host country.Will I get credit for my classes taken overseas?Yes, while every school has different rules, generally schools recognize between halfand all of the credits a student takes while on exchange. Check your schools policywith a Guidance Counselor.What if I dont get along with my host family?We try to make sure that students and host families are well matched. However,sometimes there is a problem. We offer counseling and help working outdifficulties. If the problem cannot be solved, the student is moved into a new hostfamily.Can I choose which part of a country I want to be placed in?Unless you request a direct placement, with a family you already know, we cannotguarantee geographical location. We feel it is more important to have a compatiblefamily rather than a family in a specific location. However, all requests are givenconsideration

A Special Message To Your Parents Congratulations! It takes a special kind of teenager to consider living and studyingabroad as a Youth For Understanding (YFU) International Exchange student--one who isboth eager to travel and willing to take an active role in his or her own education. Yourchild is one of them! Educators, employers, parents and our alumni all agree that the benefits ofInternational Exchange reach far beyond the year, semester or summer the student spendsabroad. In fact, the experience of learning a new language, living with a host family andadapting to a new culture produces lifelong benefits. We hope you will encourage your teenager to become a YFU exchange student.Read on to discover just a few of the ways your child will benefit from the exchangeexperience.Its An Education With the stiff competition students face for entrance into College & University, theexchange experience offers a clear advantage. Why? Because at YFU, we know that the best way to achieve fluency in anotherlanguage and to develop an intuitive understanding of another country and its people isthrough total immersion in its culture. Thats why all YFU exchange programs-- year,semester and summer-- involve living with a host family. The host family experienceprovides the best education one can get in a countrys language and culture. In fact, most YFU students are amazed at how quickly they become fluent in theirnew language. Of course, YFU year and semester students have the added benefit ofattending secondary school in their host country. Many students find the often rigorouscourse load helps prepare them for more intense college or university study and most areable to receive credit for their school work abroad.Its A Sense Of Direction Most parents of YFU students say their teenager returned from the exchangeexperience with greater confidence, maturity, and increased ability to assess new situationsand respond appropriately. They talk with pride about the personal growth anddevelopment they have observed in their son or daughter following the stay abroad andfind great satisfaction in the positive impact the YFU experience has had on their childs life. The students themselves state that the experience provides them with a greatersense of direction. Most return home eager to begin college or university studies ininternational trade, law and many other disciplines. Plus, the ability to speak another

language and to understand other cultures helps many YFU alumni establish successfulinternational careersIts Dollars And Cents Not surprisingly, the cost of the program is a concern for parents. Many parents findthat if they compare the costs of a YFU program to the normal costs of food, clothing, school,sport and social activities for their son or daughter, a YFU program is actually quitereasonable. YFU can even show your child how to raise money to offset the costs of the program.Many of our students have helped finance their exchange year through part-time jobs orfundraising. Many businesses and community service organizations are willing to supportexchange students from their community.Its Peace Of Mind With YFU, each student is placed with a host family, carefully screened for its abilityto provide a warm and caring home. The YFU host family volunteers to accept your son ordaughter into its home as a member of the family providing room, board and plenty oftender loving care. Also, we have a network of professional staff and several thousand welltrained volunteers throughout the world who are there to help you and your teenager everystep of the way. YFU is a non-profit international educational organization and one of the worldsoldest, largest and most respected exchange organizations. Established in 1951, YFU hassuccessfully exchanged more than 175,000 students worldwide. Thats why we have beenselected to administer more government and corporate scholarships than any other highschool exchange organization. And thats why more than 10,000 parents trust us with theirteenagers each year.Help your teenager begin the adventure of a lifetime as a Youth ForUnderstanding International Exchange student. If you have any questionsabout YFU and our year, semester and summer programs, call us at 877 5169111. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

How To Apply For A YFU Program And The YFU Interest SurveyPlease retain this form for future referenceChoices: C YFU Canada offers exchanges with Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland & Venezuela. Other countries may be available so please inquire if you have another choice in mind. Year, semester and summer programs are available for most exchange countries. Our exchanges stress an educational experience; all students live with a host family and attend local high schools.Please call our toll free number at 877 516 9111 for help with any questions thatyou might have after reading this information package.General Requirements GStudents must be between 15 and 18 years old before and while on our program. We would be happy to consider other applicants on a case-by-case basis. We look for students who are flexible, have a spirit of adventure, and who will enjoy the challenges of adapting to new people and cultures. Consistent academic performance, with an overall B average is what we require. We are an equal opportunity exchange program. We encourage all students regardless of race, ethnicity or disability to be part of an exchange experience. Good health is required. Comprehensive medical and dental insurance is part of the program package, however it may not cover some pre-existing conditions. Certain programs may have specific requirements for age, language skills etc.How To ApplyStep 1 - First carefully reviews the material in this information package to determine whichprogram, country and departure time you are interested in. Note that not all kinds of

programs are available at all departure times.Step 2 - Fill out the YFU Canada Interest Survey form enclosed. Mail it, or e-mail a requestfor the application package. Keep in mind that there are program deadlines. You shouldallow at least three months before departure to complete the whole application process.Step 3 - When we receive your interest survey, we will check the availability of space onthat program and forward a detailed application form to you. Please complete theapplication and return it to the office with fee of $50. When we have approved theapplication we will contact a volunteer in your area to call you and set up an appointmentfor an interview. The interview is the ideal time to ask any questions you or your parentsmight have. A week after the interview you will be notified if you are accepted to theprogram.Step 4 - When you have been notified of your acceptance and have forwarded all parts ofthe application to us, you will have finished your part of the application process. While youare fundraising, studying a language or writing to your host family, we are forwardinginformation about you to the YFU host country office. During this time we will be sendingyou information about your exchange. We know that it is hard to wait, so call if you haveany questions.Financial and Travel InformationRaising MoneyMany students have financed their exchange experience by raising money. Local businessesand some organizations such as international clubs, high schools, or church organizationsmay give you money or assist in your fundraising efforts. Students have raised money ontheir own through bake sales, car washes, community clean-up campaigns, etc. Call 877516 9111 to find out more. After you have applied to the YFU Program, we will send youstrategies for fundraising your YFU experience. If you would like to begin raising moneyprior to applying, please call the office so we can send you some helpful information.There is a $50 fee for processing the interest survey/application. Applications without feewill not be processed. YFU Canadas program fees include:Program Fees Include: • Round trip international travel from point of Gateway City departure. • Placement with a carefully screened, volunteer host family. • Assistance from YFU staff at transfer points. • Support and orientations before, during and after your exchange. • Support from YFU Canada, and host country YFU office while on program. • Enrollment in a high school for year and semester programs, some summer programs also include school sessions. • Written materials guiding you through the application and exchange process. • • Assistance in obtaining visas. • Many YFU programs offer optional organized activities to visit sights of local interest. • • Comprehensive medical, dental, accident, theft, liability and baggage insurance

Please note that program fees do not include: Transportation to and from point of Gateway City departure. Spending moneyPassport or visa feesExcess luggage feesSome school expensesWithdrawals and RefundsIf after applying, you find you cannot participate, you must notify the YFU Office in writing.The amount of your refund will be based on the date the Office receives written notice ofyour withdrawal. The $50.00 application fee is not refundable.Travel InformationYFU will designate an international gateway city as your point of departure from Canada. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange round trip domestic travel inCanada, at their own expense, to the gateway city they will be departing fromfor their International travel. YFU APPLICATION PROCESSInstructions An application reserves a space in a program of your choice. It does notguarantee that you will be accepted at the completion of the application process.Applications are accepted on a first-come basis. We have limited space available inall programs. Incomplete applications will not be processed.Please read the instructions carefully. Use a black pen. Take the time to check forerrors before mailing this application.Year and Semester Programs On the YFU academic year or semester programs, you will live with a hostfamily and attend a local high school. You will have the opportunity to becomefluent in another language as you live the life of a teenager in your host country foreither a semester (4-6 month) or year (10-11 months). Many students work withtheir Canadian schools to get full or partial credit for their classes overseas. Discussyour school requirements with your guidance counselor in your present school assoon as possible to be sure you understand your Canadian schools requirements forgraduation.See the website www.yfu.ca for current pricesActivities

Many YFU programs include special activities and optional trips (some may requirean additional charge.)For example:* Students in The Netherlands and Belgium can take a weeklong sailing trip on the Ijsselmeer.* Students in Finland may travel to Stockholm, Sweden or St. Petersburg, Russia* Students in Norway can take a trip to the mountains for a week of hiking, rafting, and glacier walking.* The year program to Ecuador includes a three-day/two-night tour of the northern rain forest. Activities will include canoeing the rivers and watching for monkeys, reptiles, exotic plants and other wildlife of the region. Students will learn about the rain forest from trained local guides.* Students in Ecuador can visit a local Indian market, straddle the hemispheres at the "Middle of the Earth" monument at the equator, and take a steam train trip to the coast.* Students in Denmark can take a one-week bus tour across the country.* Academic year students to Switzerland have a one-week ski camp in the Alps.* In Germany, students attend a one-month orientation and language course immediately upon their arrival overseas. During this month-long course, students live with a temporary host family from the local area and attend language and culture classes Monday through Friday. At the end of the month, students will either remain with the orientation host family or be assigned a new permanent host family in another part of Germany.* Academic year students in Germany participate in a weeklong seminar at mid- term. Students choose which special seminar topic interests them most. They can choose from German theater, politics, art history, media and others. The seminars are located in major cities across Germany.See the website www.yfu.ca for important dates

YFU Canada Interest Survey This survey reserves a space for you in the program of your choice. Pleaseread the information carefully. Incorrect information can delay the applicationprocess. When we have received your interest survey and $50 cheque, we willforward our full application to you. At the same time we ask an interviewer tocontact you to make an appointment. When you have been interviewed and wehave received all parts of your application, you will be notified if you are accepted tothe program.Please forward completed survey to: YFU Canada, 690 Fountain Street North,Cambridge, Ontario, N3H 0A2.Please Note: The $50 processing fee is not refundable. It is not part of the tuitionto the program.PERSONAL INFORMATIONPlease type or print in BLACK INK______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Full legal name) LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME NICKNAME______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________(Home Address) STREET CITY PROVINCE POSTAL CODE

________________________________ _________________________________ ___________(Home Telephone) Birth Date: Day/Month/YearE-Mail Address__________________________________________Are you a Canadian Citizen? Yes Y No If no, what is your county of citizenship? _____________________FAMILYI live with (check appropriate box) I Mother &Mother MFather G Step-& Father F Guardian parents p Other_____________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Father or Male Guardians Name Mother or Female GuardiansName_____________________________________________________________________________________________Occupation Occupation_____________________________________________________________________________________________Employer and Business Phone Employer and Business PhoneSCHOOL INFORMATION______________________________________________________________________________________________School Name Date of Graduation______________________________________________________________________________________________School Address TelephoneCurrent Academic Average (past two years)________Last grade completed_________If you spoke to a teacher or counselor who recommended the YFU program, please tell us.PROGRAM CHOICE

Please check the program to ensure that you are recording a program that we offer. Choosinga program that we do not offer will delay your application process.I am interested in a YFU program:Signature of Student DateSignature of Parent DateSummer Departure Winter Departure S WSix Week Semester Year S S Y2011 2012 20 2 2 2I would like to reserve a space in the following country _______________________________. If all spaces arefilled Iwould like to be considered for a space in ____________________________________ or ____________________SOURCESHow did you find out about our program? HTV ORADIO T NEWSPAPER R FRIEND NYFU STUDENT F YFU POSTER Y YFUBROCHURE Y YFU REPRESENTATIVE Y YFU HOST FAMILY Y TEACHER/COUNSELOR Y PARENT’S EMPLOYER T OPTIMIST CLUB P OTHER ________________________ For Office Use OnlyStudent # ______________________________________________________________________Program _______________________________________________________________________

Date survey received ___________________________________________________________Date Application sent __________________________________________________________

YFU Interest Form

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