The interest form is your very first step in the application process. Fill it out and mail it to us with the application fee, and we will set up a time for your admission interview. Let's get started!

1. Dear Parents and Students,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the Youth For Understanding Student
exchange 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.ca
If you would like information on fundraising ideas or available scholarships
currently 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 take
the first step to becoming a YFU exchange student by filling out the enclosed interest
survey form. Send your completed survey form to the office. There is an
administration fee $50.00 that is used in the first stage of processing your
application.
Please read all of the information carefully and if you or your parents have any
further questions call the YFU Canada office during regular business hours and we
will be happy to answer them for you. You can reach us at
519 653 0550 or 877 516 9111.
YFU Canada is looking forward to the arrival of your application and invites you to
join our international family of exchange students around the world. Your
adventure is just beginning!
Go Global With YFU Canada!
Youth For Understanding International
Exchange
YFU Canada
Facts:
Dr. Rachel Andresen established the Youth For Understanding (YFU) International
Exchange Program in 1951.

2. YFU is a non-profit international student exchange program with offices in over 50 countries
around the world.
YFU Canada's office is located at 7 Roseview Avenue, Cambridge, Ontario.
YFU Inc. the program's International headquarters is located in Bethesda, MD USA.
YFU's 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 CANADA
Do I have to speak a foreign language to qualify?
No. You do not need to know the language of the YFU countries that we exchange
with. If you do speak a foreign language it will make communications easier but
most 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 do
not turn 19 before you leave. Students over 18 will be considered on a case-by case
basis.

3. 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 country
informs 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 for
you.
Does my family have to host an exchange student?
No. However, if your family is interested in having an international experience at
the 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 would
attend 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 international
exchange 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 hour
support services of the YFU staff and volunteers in YFU Canada and the YFU office in
your host country.
Will I get credit for my classes taken overseas?
Yes, while every school has different rules, generally schools recognize between half
and all of the credits a student takes while on exchange. Check your school's policy
with a Guidance Counselor.
What if I don't 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 out
difficulties. If the problem cannot be solved, the student is moved into a new host
family.
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 cannot
guarantee geographical location. We feel it is more important to have a compatible
family rather than a family in a specific location. However, all requests are given
consideration

4. A Special Message To Your Parents
Congratulations! It takes a special kind of teenager to consider living and studying
abroad as a Youth For Understanding (YFU) International Exchange student--one who is
both eager to travel and willing to take an active role in his or her own education. Your
child is one of them!
Educators, employers, parents and our alumni all agree that the benefits of
International Exchange reach far beyond the year, semester or summer the student spends
abroad. In fact, the experience of learning a new language, living with a host family and
adapting 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 exchange
experience.
It's An Education
With the stiff competition students face for entrance into College & University, the
exchange experience offers a clear advantage.
Why? Because at YFU, we know that the best way to achieve fluency in another
language and to develop an intuitive understanding of another country and its people is
through total immersion in its culture. That's why all YFU exchange programs-- year,
semester and summer-- involve living with a host family. The host family experience
provides the best education one can get in a country's language and culture.
In fact, most YFU students are amazed at how quickly they become fluent in their
new language. Of course, YFU year and semester students have the added benefit of
attending secondary school in their host country. Many students find the often rigorous
course load helps prepare them for more intense college or university study and most are
able to receive credit for their school work abroad.
It's A Sense Of Direction
Most parents of YFU students say their teenager returned from the exchange
experience with greater confidence, maturity, and increased ability to assess new situations
and respond appropriately. They talk with pride about the personal growth and
development they have observed in their son or daughter following the stay abroad and
find great satisfaction in the positive impact the YFU experience has had on their child's life.
The students themselves state that the experience provides them with a greater
sense of direction. Most return home eager to begin college or university studies in
international trade, law and many other disciplines. Plus, the ability to speak another

5. language and to understand other cultures helps many YFU alumni establish successful
international careers
It's Dollars And Cents
Not surprisingly, the cost of the program is a concern for parents. Many parents find
that 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 quite
reasonable.
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 or
fundraising. Many businesses and community service organizations are willing to support
exchange students from their community.
It's Peace Of Mind
With YFU, each student is placed with a host family, carefully screened for its ability
to provide a warm and caring home. The YFU host family volunteers to accept your son or
daughter into its home as a member of the family providing room, board and plenty of
tender loving care. Also, we have a network of professional staff and several thousand well
trained volunteers throughout the world who are there to help you and your teenager every
step of the way.
YFU is a non-profit international educational organization and one of the worlds
oldest, largest and most respected exchange organizations. Established in 1951, YFU has
successfully exchanged more than 175,000 students worldwide. That's why we have been
selected to administer more government and corporate scholarships than any other high
school exchange organization. And that's why more than 10,000 parents trust us with their
teenagers each year.
Help your teenager begin the adventure of a lifetime as a Youth For
Understanding International Exchange student. If you have any questions
about YFU and our year, semester and summer programs, call us at 877 516
9111. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

6. How To Apply For A YFU Program And The YFU Interest Survey
Please retain this form for future reference
Choices:
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 that
you 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 Apply
Step 1 - First carefully reviews the material in this information package to determine which
program, country and departure time you are interested in. Note that not all kinds of

7. programs are available at all departure times.
Step 2 - Fill out the YFU Canada Interest Survey form enclosed. Mail it, or e-mail a request
for the application package. Keep in mind that there are program deadlines. You should
allow 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 on
that program and forward a detailed application form to you. Please complete the
application and return it to the office with fee of $50. When we have approved the
application we will contact a volunteer in your area to call you and set up an appointment
for an interview. The interview is the ideal time to ask any questions you or your parents
might have. A week after the interview you will be notified if you are accepted to the
program.
Step 4 - When you have been notified of your acceptance and have forwarded all parts of
the application to us, you will have finished your part of the application process. While you
are fundraising, studying a language or writing to your host family, we are forwarding
information about you to the YFU host country office. During this time we will be sending
you information about your exchange. We know that it is hard to wait, so call if you have
any questions.
Financial and Travel Information
Raising Money
Many students have financed their exchange experience by raising money. Local businesses
and some organizations such as international clubs, high schools, or church organizations
may give you money or assist in your fundraising efforts. Students have raised money on
their own through bake sales, car washes, community clean-up campaigns, etc. Call 877
516 9111 to find out more. After you have applied to the YFU Program, we will send you
strategies for fundraising your YFU experience. If you would like to begin raising money
prior 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 fee
will not be processed. YFU Canada's 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

8. Please note that program fees do not include:
Transportation to and from point of Gateway City departure.
Spending money
Passport or visa fees
Excess luggage fees
Some school expenses
Withdrawals and Refunds
If 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 of
your withdrawal. The $50.00 application fee is not refundable.
Travel Information
YFU 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 in
Canada, at their own expense, to the gateway city they will be departing from
for their International travel.
YFU APPLICATION PROCESS
Instructions
An application reserves a space in a program of your choice. It does not
guarantee 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 in
all programs. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Please read the instructions carefully. Use a black pen. Take the time to check for
errors before mailing this application.
Year and Semester Programs
On the YFU academic year or semester programs, you will live with a host
family and attend a local high school. You will have the opportunity to become
fluent in another language as you live the life of a teenager in your host country for
either a semester (4-6 month) or year (10-11 months). Many students work with
their Canadian schools to get full or partial credit for their classes overseas. Discuss
your school requirements with your guidance counselor in your present school as
soon as possible to be sure you understand your Canadian school's requirements for
graduation.
See the website www.yfu.ca for current prices
Activities

9. Many YFU programs include special activities and optional trips (some may require
an 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

10. YFU Canada Interest Survey
This survey reserves a space for you in the program of your choice. Please
read the information carefully. Incorrect information can delay the application
process. When we have received your interest survey and $50 cheque, we will
forward our full application to you. At the same time we ask an interviewer to
contact you to make an appointment. When you have been interviewed and we
have received all parts of your application, you will be notified if you are accepted to
the 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 tuition
to the program.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please type or print in BLACK INK
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____
(Full legal name) LAST NAME FIRST NAME MIDDLE NAME NICKNAME
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____
(Home Address) STREET CITY PROVINCE POSTAL CODE

11. ________________________________ ________________________________
_ ___________
(Home Telephone) Birth Date:
Day/Month/Year
E-Mail Address__________________________________________
Are you a Canadian Citizen? Yes Y No If no, what is your county of
citizenship?
_____________________
FAMILY
I live with (check appropriate box)
I Mother &Mother MFather G Step-
& Father F Guardian parents p Other_____________
_________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Father or Male Guardian's Name Mother or Female Guardian's
Name
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupation Occupation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Employer and Business Phone Employer and Business Phone
SCHOOL INFORMATION
______________________________________________________________________________________________
School Name Date of Graduation
______________________________________________________________________________________________
School Address Telephone
Current 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

12. Please check the program to ensure that you are recording a program that we offer. Choosing
a program that we do not offer will delay your application process.
I am interested in a YFU program:
Signature of Student Date
Signature of Parent Date
Summer Departure Winter Departure
S W
Six Week Semester Year
S S Y
2011 2012 20
2 2 2
I would like to reserve a space in the following country _______________________________. If all spaces are
filled I
would like to be considered for a space in ____________________________________ or ____________________
SOURCES
How 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 Only
Student # ______________________________________________________________________
Program _______________________________________________________________________

13. Date survey received ___________________________________________________________
Date Application sent __________________________________________________________