75 Years of Home

75 Years of Making the World your Home. 75 Years of Inviting the World into your Home.

Since 75 years, YFU is bringing together people across cultures, creating connections that last a lifetime. YFU’s mission remains as meaningful and necessary as ever: In a world that can feel divided, exchange experiences continue to inspire understanding, dialogue, and positive change.

How did it all begin?

It all started in 1951 with a simple but powerful goal: to help people reconnect across borders and rebuild trust after years of conflict by having them share everyday life. 75 young Germans were invited to the US to live with a volunteer host family and attend high school for a year. The hope was that the students would return home inspired to help rebuild Germany as a democracy, shaped by what they had seen, learned, and lived in the US. Dr. Rachel Andresen brought this vision to life, founding YFU and shaping it into the global community it is today.

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WhY DOES IT still matter?

People who develop a deep intercultural understanding through lived experiences of cultural difference - whether as exchange students or host families - gain a broader perspective on the world. They come to appreciate the necessity of cooperation, see democratic societies as inherently pluralistic, and support institutions that bridge differences rather than exploit them. In an increasingly fragmented landscape, this mindset serves as an important counterbalance to forces pulling societies apart. Because the world needs understanding - today as much as in 1951.

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YFU BY THE NUMBERS

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF YFU
This year, we celebrate the people, milestones, and moments that have shaped YFU over the past 75 years. Generations of young people brave enough to make the world their home. Generations of host families generous enough to invite the world into their home. And generations of volunteers and staff dedicated enough to make transformational exchanges happen every day. From the very first exchange programs to today’s global network, our history shows that the power of human connection builds bridges across divides and empowers individuals to contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable world.

STORY HUB

Every YFU exchange is shaped by meaningful moments, each with a story to tell. Here, we celebrate the voices of students, host families, and volunteers from around the world - the people who bring YFU to life.

A VOLUNTEER STORY: Double the YFU Spirit
Ines and Björn
A STUDENT STORY: Make sure you are on the right bus!
Megan
A STUDENT STORY: "Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore!"
Maricruz
A STUDENT STORY: The beginning of an extraordinary life
Carolina
A HOST FAMILY STORY: 30 straight years of hosting
Ted
A HOST FAMILY STORY: A host mom with unconditional love for students
Marika

REFLECTIONS FROM WITHIN YFU

THOUGHTS FROM OUR GENERAL SECRETARY

As we mark Rachel Andresen's birthday on 8th of April and YFU’s 75th anniversary, Gregory Matheson reflects upon how international education programs like ours continue to teach Democracy and promote Peace. Not as theory, but as daily practice — helping young people, families, and communities meet across borders to build understanding that outlasts politics.

Read his full message here.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEMBER FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Hans Strijdom reflects on over 40 years in international exchange, recalling his formative experience as a 15-year-old in Hamburg in 1984. He highlights how it shaped his understanding of global complexity and personal authenticity. Addressing YFU’s leadership, he emphasizes the organization’s ongoing relevance and calls for boldness, resilience, and staying true to its mission of cross-cultural understanding.

Read his full message here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: RUTH SCHWEIGMANN

From her small village in North-West Germany, Ruth has made a remarkable impact across YFU at every level. What truly defines Ruth is her spirit. Guided by her motto, “Always think in Royal Purple,” she brings passion, warmth, and dedication to everything she does. Ruth’s influence is lasting and far-reaching.

Read the full story here.

HOST FAMILY OF THE MONTH: THE KORBULY FAMILY

What began with hosting one exchange student soon grew into a family tradition of inviting the world into their home. Since 2019, the Korbuly family from Hungary has embraced cultural exchange with openness, warmth, and curiosity.

Through their ongoing hosting and volunteering, they create meaningful connections that last far beyond a single exchange year. They remind us that hosting is not just about opening your home, but opening your world.

Read the full story here.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

APPLY FOR AN EXCHANGE BECOME A HOST FAMILY VOLUNTEER