A VOLUNTEER STORY: Double the YFU Spirit

For Ines and Björn from Germany, YFU is more than just an organization but a shared journey that connects their past, present, and future. As a mother and son duo, they both spent a year abroad as exchange students and have been active as YFU volunteers for many years.

Björn’s YFU journey began in 2016/17, when he spent a year in Norway, in a small town near Oslo. Living alone with his host parents was a new experience for him, especially coming from a family with two siblings. While it was sometimes challenging, it was also an exciting and formative time that left a lasting impression.

Ines’ exchange experience goes further back. In 1985/86, she spent a year in New Mexico in the United States. What started as a simple idea for a language trip turned into something much bigger after she discovered a flyer for an exchange year at school. Encouraged by her older brother, she decided to take the leap, one that would shape her life in many ways. Even today, she is still in touch with friends from that time.

Although Ines did not go abroad with YFU herself, the organization later became an important part of her life. In 2013, her family became a host family, which marked the beginning of her active involvement. Wanting to give something back, she quickly stepped into volunteering. Starting as a last-minute replacement at a post-return orientation, she gradually took on more responsibilities: leading orientation, supporting both inbound and outbound students, and working in student support. Today, she continues to be deeply involved in different areas and still finds great joy in the work.

For Björn, volunteering with YFU followed naturally after his exchange year. Over the past six years, he has taken on different roles at orientations, both in person and online. The idea of working together as a mother-son team had been there for a while, but it first became reality during an online pre-departure orientation. The experience was so positive that they decided to take it further and this year, they co-led an in-person mid-term orientation.

What keeps them motivated, year after year, is the special atmosphere during YFU orientations. For Björn, it’s the chance to reconnect with the exchange experience. Witnessing that journey again and again is both inspiring and energizing.

Ines values the human connections just as much. She enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds, students as well as fellow volunteers and finds it especially rewarding to see how students grow over the course of their exchange year. Reconnecting with them and hearing their stories gives her a deep sense of fulfillment.

Looking back, both recognize how much YFU and their exchange years have shaped their lives, not only through the experiences abroad but also through the community they became part of afterward.

Ines, in particular, has a message for others who might be considering volunteering. “I want to encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering, even if their exchange year was a long time ago.” And, as she adds with a smile, it might even keep you young.