Youth For Understanding USA

Introducing Nele, a 16 year old CBYX scholarship winner from Germany. She enjoys drawing, crocheting and ballet in her free time. Nele sees herself as an open minded, honest and caring individual. Her friends see her as an emotionally intelligent person who cares about their well-being. And her teacher says that Nele has a wide scope of interests, actively participates in class and has very good English language proficiency. Nele is very grateful to your family for helping to make her dream come true. Will she become your newest family member? CBYX Scholarship Student.

Meet Helene, a 15 year old who sees herself as a bright, positive and open person. She loves archery, rowing, cooking and baking, and would love to try fishing, wrestling and American football while in the US. Her friends say that she is funny and welcoming, and takes time to include everyone into the group. Her teacher says that she is motivated and sociable, and encourages others to do their best. And she has excellent English language proficiency! Are you ready to welcome this special young lady into your family? CBYX Scholarship Recipient

Meet adventurous, open-minded, and extroverted Lara from Germany. Lara's teachers have indicated that Lara is an excellent student who interacts well with her peers and her teachers. Lara enjoys competitions like those in a debate club or math club. Lara has been a volunteer with Unicef programs for children, as a handball referee, and as a tutor for younger students. Lara hopes to continue swimming and karate while on exchange. Lara enjoys skiing and hopes to be able to try surfing while on exchange. Lara enjoys reading, listening to all kinds of music, baking, playing board games, going to the beach, and going to the movies with friends. She is grateful to her new host family for welcoming her into their home. She looks forward to spending time with you sharing cultures and family activities together. Lara likes dogs and cats and would enjoy getting to know the family pet dog or cat as well. Lara also helps around the house emptying the dishwasher, keeping her room clean, as well as other chores as needed. Would you like to welcome this well rounded, polite and joyful student into your home for a year of exchange? CBYX Scholarship Recipient

Describing himself as brave and open-minded, Hauke from Germany, cannot wait to experience a new culture! With a keen interest in politics, economics, and social issues, Hauke is a strong advocate for a fairer and more just world. He is also excited at the prospect of being a representative for Germany to his host family and community. To unwind and relax, Hauke enjoys reading, hiking, and playing table tennis; he is part of table tennis club at home. He is looking forward to the possibility of participating in new sports during his exchange year. In addition to all this, Hauke is active in his church community and regularly takes on leadership responsibilities--his open and friendly personality make it easy for others to relate to him. Hauke is thrilled his dream of an exchange year is one step closer to coming true! The next step is up to you! CBYX SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT.

Meet Natsuki (nickname Nuts) from Japan! Natsuki is described by friends and teachers as responsible, kind, and a good listener. He has been a class leader and participated on school committees and would like to find volunteer opportunities while on exchange. He is a soccer fan who has played soccer for 10 years, enjoys watching the Premier League, and would love to be able to continue to play while on exchange. He values his relationship with his family and they often like to pursue outdoor activities together. He especially appreciates the opportunity to combine his love of the outdoors with photography. He would also love to have the chance to go camping with his host family while on exchange. He likes to listen to a variety of music with his favorites being Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, and ONE OK ROCK. During his exchange year he is hoping to learn about American culture, broaden his perspectives, improve his English skills, and to be a part of your family. He would like to use his exchange year to further an internationally oriented career so that he would make a more positive impact on the world. Natsuki is a scholarship winner and must be placed in Wisconsin in a school with a FCCLA chapter.

Are you looking for an intelligent and artistic young lady to welcome into your family? Meet Lara from Egypt, a future surgeon with a passion for painting and drawing. Inspired by her fifth-grade art teacher, Lara loves working with various mediums like oil paint, watercolor, pencil, and charcoal. Creating art helps her relax and center herself. Lara's academic interests are diverse, including art, biology, design, languages, literature, and writing. She excels in her studies and has big plans for a career in medicine. In her free time, Lara enjoys curling up with a fantasy book and often draws or paints scenes from her favorite stories. She also loves cooking and baking, spending time with family and friends, playing games, and exploring the outdoors. Visiting museums and watching movies are some of her favorite activities. Lara is sporty too, with a keen interest in basketball and cheerleading. Although she has visited Saudi Arabia, she hasn't traveled extensively outside of Egypt and is thrilled about the opportunity to attend an American high school. She looks forward to taking art classes, studying biology, and possibly trying out for cheerleading or learning to play an instrument. Lara is well-read, articulate, and has excellent English skills. Will you open your home to Lara and help her embark on this exciting journey? YES Scholarship Student.

Lina, a 15-year-old student from Kosovo, is ready to experience all things USA! This young lady has a way with words, being an avid reader of all genres. She loves how books take her to places she has never been before. Lina also loves the outdoors, especially skiing in the mountains with her family. She says that skiing brings her a sense of calm while also experiencing a rush of adrenaline. She also loves swimming, having picnics and taking walks in nearby national parks with her family. Friends mean everything to her, no matter where they are hanging out. I love what she stated in her host family letter, "the place means nothing when the people mean everything". After school, Lina would like to study medicine and either become a medical doctor or a dentist. She says, "not all heroes wear capes, most of them wear white coats". The thought of helping people when they are in need has intrigued her since she was a child. Her parents have taught her that working hard and being a righteous person will get her exactly where she wants to be. This has helped her accomplish everything that she has set her mind to. While on exchange, Lina hopes to learn about other people and cultures all while sharing her culture with those around her. She loves a challenge and participating in this exchange year will help her step out of her comfort zone and try new things. Will you be the family to help Lina rise to this challenge? YES SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Say hello to 14 year old Monica from Spain! An social and sporty girl, Monica loves to play basketball and spend time with her family and friends. Family is an important part of Monica's life, and she treasures all the times she gets to spend with those closest to her. As a way to relax, Monica likes to listen to music and to paint. She is excited to experience all that life in America has to offer: from new cultures, to new foods, to academic pursuits. Monica is ready to meet you and have the time of her life; are you ready to meet her?

Introducing Ghazal, from the West Bank! This outgoing 14-year old girl loves to meet new people and try new things! While she can't wait to meet you and be a part of your family, she also dreams of sharing her own culture and customs with you. Ghazal is a dedicated basketball player, and can't wait to join the basketball team at her host school; she is also looking forward to perhaps joining a theater production. With dreams of becoming a doctor, Ghazal is most passionate about helping others and improving the lives of those around her. Most of all, Ghazal dreams of sharing the amazing exchange experience with her host family. Will you be the one to welcome Ghazal into your family and set off on the adventure of a lifetime? YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT.

Meet Elisa! Elisa is a respectful, determined, and athletic 16 year old girl from Germany. Her family consists of her mother, father, three younger brothers, two older sisters, a rabbit, and a turtle. She is very family oriented and loves to spend time with them doing a wide variety of activities together in all four seasons. In summer she loves to go boating with her family and enjoys water skiing, windsurfing, and tubing. In winter she and her family regularly go skiing and snowboarding in the Black Forest. Indoor activities like playing cards or watching movies are year round family favorites. Elisa has been a swimmer for over 10 years, plays volleyball and water polo recreationally, & has played piano for 8 years. She likes to spend time with her friends baking, playing laser tag, or watching movies. She also loves to read when its time to recharge her social batteries. Elisa has great initiative which she demonstrated by organizing all of her CBYX scholarship activities by herself in order to fulfill her dream of getting to experience a new culture, have the opportunity to improve her English, make new friends, and be a part of your family. CBYX Scholarship Student

Sid is a calm, authentic, and easy-going exchange student from Germany, with a passion for personal growth and connecting with others. Fluent in both German and Hindi, he values the power of having the right mindset and thrives in social environments. A devoted animal lover, Sid cherishes his time with his four cats, and his weekends are filled with family bonding, from cleaning and hiking to visiting friends and enjoying card games together. Cooking is a highlight of their shared moments. At school, Sid is ambitious and dedicated, excelling in Physics and Math, driven by his curiosity and love for learning. His family describes him as deeply empathetic, and he has spent weeks away from home at science camps and cultural events, expanding his horizons. Beyond academics, Sid is a blue belt in martial arts, a certified lifeguard, and enjoys badminton. He actively participates in his schools paramedic program, science club, and youth camps. Sid looks forward to growing even more during his year in the U.S., eagerly anticipating becoming a part of an American family. He is incredibly grateful for this life-changing opportunity and cannot wait to meet and bond with his new family. CBYX Scholarship student.

Meet Ruksha, a 15 year old student from Bangladesh. Ruksha lived in Kuwait for 5 years, and has traveled to Saudi Arabia. She loves photography, and enjoys writing poetry. She adores animals, and has several pets. Ruksha would love to learn to skateboard and play volleyball while on exchange in the US. An excellent student, Ruksha would like to start her own business in the future. She can't wait to create memories with her American host family! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT.

Meet Anisha, a vibrant 16-year-old from India with aspirations of becoming a CEO one day. Her exceptional communication skills and passion for advocating on behalf of others will undoubtedly help her achieve this goal. In her free time, Anisha loves reading, writing, painting, and both taking and editing photographs. She also cherishes moments spent with friends and family, especially gardening with her grandparents. Anisha thrives on challenges, making her an ideal candidate for an exchange year. During her exchange, Anisha aims to enhance her communication skills, gain a deeper understanding of the world, and immerse herself in the local community. She hopes her time in the United States will sharpen her critical thinking and broaden her perspective. Will you open your home to Anisha and give her the opportunity to expand her horizons? YES Scholarship Recipient.

Meet Teona, a small town 16 year old girl with a supersized heart of gold from North Macedonia. Teona can often be found on a volleyball court with her teammates, in a local coffee shop with her friends, or curled up with a good book. Some of her favorite core childhood memories are horseback riding and watching movies with her family. Teona loves animals with her favorites being cats, bunnies, and horses. She can be a bit shy when meeting new people but that normally doesnt last long. She hopes to have the opportunity to attend a football game, participate in high school clubs or sports, and experience Halloween Trick-or-treating. She is not a stranger to hard work at school or helping her parents with weekend house cleaning duties. After high school she is planning to attend University and study Criminology. She is excited about spending a year in the US and for the chance to be part of your family. YES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Viktoria, from Bulgaria, is a young woman who will jump right into any family that is ready to say yes! With interests ranging from video games to cooking to fencing she would make a great addition to any family. Viktoria has many interests but wants to try anything and everything while she is on exchange. She loves a good challenge and can't wait to take on as many as possible. Celebrating holidays with her host family is something that she can't wait to experience. She especially wants to experience Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Will you share your family's celebrations with Viktoria? YES Scholarship Student

Jan, a 16 year old student from Germany, is fun and sporty young man who has high aspirations of becoming a Judge one day. He is an excellent student and loves studying History and all things political. He plays soccer and is active in his Scouting organization. He describes himself as open-minded, friendly and enthusiastic. He believes his biggest strength, however, is empathy. He loves being able to understand how people are feeling and help find a solution to help make them feel better. In his free time, Jan enjoys gaming, listening to music, outdoor activities (especially water sports), and volunteering with his scouting organization. While in the United States on exchange, Jan hopes to learn more about the different cultures in America and the way of life for an American high school student. He can't wait to experience things like Thanksgiving and the Superbowl. He also hopes to improve his English skills and make many new friends. Could Jan be the perfect addition to your family? Open your heart and home to this amazing young man and give him the chance of a lifetime. CBYX Scholarship Recipient

Introducing David, an active and friendly 15 year old boy from Germany. David loves sports, especially soccer. David's mother was an exchange student in the U.S., and she found her experience enjoyable and memorable. His teacher says that he is humorous, friendly, and has strengths in language and social science. David also has excellent English language proficiency. His friends say that he is relaxed, easy to talk to, and never boring. David can't wait to become part of your family!

Maalik, 15, from Germany exhibits all the hallmarks of an achiever in all aspects of his life. Teachers note that this excellent student is well organized, meticulous and single-minded and has performed as the top student in his grade for about five years. He adjusted well to a school change during that time. His friends, with whom he enjoys a large variety of outdoor recreational sports, describe him as social, outgoing, and sporty. His parents note that Maalik is known by friends and relations as the "sunshine of the family." They have a harmonious family life and Maalik helps with various chores and cooking without being asked--he promises thoughtfully to make a real effort not to increase his host family's work load by helping out wherever he can. Maalik is close to his older brother and says he can connect well with both teens and older folks too. He's eager to try some American sports, especially those outdoors or in the water. Hiking would also be a family activity he hopes to enjoy together. Maalik is eager to find out what some of your hobbies are so that he can integrate himself into them, just as he does with friends and family at home. Maalik is a guy you can expect to be "All In"!

Meet Laurin! Laurin is an open minded, social, and responsible 16 year old boy from Switzerland. He loves staying active and plays soccer, volleyball, ice hockey, spends a few days at the gym every week, and has skied since he was 3 years old. His interests are not confined to sports and has played piano for 5 years and also enjoys playing computer games, watching movies and shows, cooking, and going a swim in the river when visiting his grandparents in the summer. Laurin would love to be able to play American football, volleyball, or other sport while on exchange and is excited about the idea of potentially having a host sibling. He became interested in doing an exchange program in the US after visiting New York and Boston as well as being interested in all the different geographies that can be found in the US. After his exchange Laurin is planning to attend University and pursue a career in law. He is excited about his upcoming exchange experience and being able to be part of your family.

Meet Leonardo, a friendly 16 year old boy from Switzerland. His father is Swiss and his mother is Brazilian, so he speaks German, Swiss German and Portuguese fluently. He enjoys soccer, ice hockey and skiing, but would love to try American football, baseball or basketball while in the US. Leonardo is open to new friendships and likes meeting new people. His friends say that he is funny, kind and supportive. His aunt was an exchange student, and still keeps in touch with her host family. Leonardo is excited to make unforgettable memories with you!