MAKE A DIFFERENCE : YFU Student Exchange
by Lorna Gordon
Imagine how exciting it would be as a 16-year-old to jet off round the world to experience school and family life in a different country . It would be pretty amazing , wouldn ’ t it ? Well this is exactly what type of experiences YFU Student Exchange offers and they are so happy to be able to provide this service to young Australians again after a break because of COVID .
I spoke to Katrina and Natrisha from YFU Student Exchange about the service they offer and why it ’ s such a fantastic opportunity for young Aussies and families to get involved in . Natrisha had been an exchange student herself and had taken the long trip to Norway when she was a teen . She told me about her own experience and how travel impacts the students they work with .
“ I left knowing very little Norwegian , but came back almost fluent in a new language . I got go to a totally different type of school , met new friends , live with a different family and culture . I gained two ‘ sisters ’ who I am still in contact with after 33 years and learned so much from my host dad .”
“ Travel like this changes you , our students learn how to navigate the world , have a global experience and come back very grown up with an inner confidence that isn ’ t easy to develop at such a young age .”
The exchange is open to students from 15 to 17 years old , however , most students go overseas in Year 10 so that it doesn ’ t interfere with studies for HSC . Katrina explained that they work with the student ’ s school to ensure they are supported if they go in Years 11 or 12 .
Not only do they arrange for Australian kids to go overseas , they also place children from across the world with families in Australia so they can get a real Aussie experience of going to school , living with a family and doing all the things that we do day to day .
These families are the real heroes of this , they open their homes and their hearts to the teenagers and quickly become part of the family , often forming bonds that last for years . At the moment they are looking for families who would like to join the program and be a host family for a teenager .
“ For the families who sign up as hosts it often becomes a lifelong relationship . We welcome any type of family with no expectations , just a loving home who are
Sheather family welcoming their exchange student from Uruguay arriving in Australia .
happy to have a teenager live with them for a period of time .
“ The host families are volunteers and as such they can ’ t be paid , but the student pays for their school uniform , books etc , and they have insurance to cover any health requirements .”
If you are interested in becoming a host family or going on an exchange as a student the YFU Student Exchange has all the information you need to get started .
For students there are online Discovery Sessions where you can find out more information on the program and places you can visit . For host families there is information on what the family need to provide for the student and profiles of students who will be arriving in Australia this year .
You can go to www . yfu . com . au to get the full information or call , 1800 654 947 .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 95 // MAY 2023 11