Youth For Understanding USA

Meet Kotone, a spirited girl from Japan known for her infectious positivity. Enthusiastic about engaging with others, she's a dedicated member of her school's library committee and home economics club, where she helped bake 1000 cookies for a festival. Kotone's zest for learning extends beyond academics; she dreams of a future in teaching. Inspired by her mother's Japanese recipes, she's eager to share these culinary delights with her host family abroad. Kotone is thrilled to immerse herself in new experiences, from home activities to attending church, making her an integral part of her host family's life. Will you welcome Kotone into your family?

Ruba, from Libya, is a girl with a remarkable background, having lived in China for about 3 years when she was younger. She is an artist who loves to write and draw and hopes to have a career in interior design. She attends an international school now. Her teacher states Ruba is an exceptional student, who shows great maturity and motivation. Ruba even creates study guides for her difficult courses and her writing is wonderful. Ruba has a close loving family, and as one of six, she has a share of chores to help at home. She loves having conversations with family and friends. Ruba is hoping to join a writing group at her American school or in the community. Ruba is looking forward to joining her host family and growing lifelong relationships. YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Thea is a 16 year old girl from Germany who says she likes being busy and learning things. Among her many interests and activities are horseback riding, tennis, gym workouts and volunteering. She enjoys working with children - organizing experiences in her church, helping develop skills in horseback riding and working with young people at camps. She also likes animals - especially horses. Thea says her family is busy but works at scheduling time together - playing tennis, cooking meals and playing board games. She and her family are active in their church and Thea is ready to join her host family in their church life and activities. She has been a vegetarian for about five years and assures her host family that she can manage her eating if they don't happen to be vegetarian. An excellent student, Thea is described by teachers as articulate and always well prepared. She has been the school's student representative for two years and has developed excellent communication and organization skills. She takes her responsibility in this role very seriously and hopes to make a positive impact on school life. Thea was one of the founding members of the school's on-line newspaper and enjoys writing articles that are included. She volunteers for other organizations and causes and hopes to find ways to continue volunteering while in the US. Thea is excited to have the opportunity to spend a year in the US with her host family and can't wait to "begin this incredible journey with you".

Zherui, who goes by Leo or Rui, is and open minded, friendly, and considerate boy from China. He is described as a smart, hard-working student who has excellent leadership skills. He does very well in school and inspires other students. His favorite class is physics. Leo is a sports-oriented person and his sport is badminton he can play, teach, coachhe does it all. He hopes to run a badminton center someday, like his parents. He loves watching NBA basketball and his favorite player is Paul George. He also enjoys calligraphy and chess. Leo stays in a school dorm during the week but really enjoys family days on weekends. He learns a lot from his parents. His father has taught him that growth comes from meeting challenges. Leo is looking forward to the challenge of living in a very different culture, improving his English and broadening his horizons. He will be very happy to share Chinese culture, food and customs. He is very grateful to his host family for inviting him to be a member of the family. He will be a caring and thoughtful son, a wonderful addition to your family.

Lukas, 16, from Germany describes himself first and foremost as a family person! He's invested in simple family activities with his parents, younger sister, and even grandparents to include fishing, camping, chopping firewood, movies, board games, etc. But he also loves the "brotherly spirit" of team sports and enthusiastically plays team handball, online skating, basketball, and hopes to add American football and other new ones to the list. He'd also love to watch various sports with you on TV, or better yet in a local stadium! Lukas is a responsible guy who keeps a neat room and holds a part-time job as a lifeguard. He has a talent for drawing. He hopes someday to become a helicopter pilot or pursue a military or police career, even in peace-keeping forces. CBYX SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Mortiz from Germany is described as a positive, open-minded, responsible young man with a love for science and interest in social justice issues. He is great in class participation and interacting with others. Moritz recently did an extracurricular project with the German Aerospace Center taking photos and measuring sunspots with a solar telescope. He is thinking about a possible career as a pilot. Moritz has a very close relationship with his family, often baking with his mom, gardening with his dad, or playing games with his brother. He doesnt have a pet but will be happy if his host family has one. Science and sports are his keen interests, but he is looking forward to new activities with his host family and school. Moritz knows this exchange will be a time to grow and learn. He is very grateful to his host family for welcoming him into their family and growing a close warm relationship.

Lorenz is an 18 year old boy from Belgium whom teachers say always has a calm and positive attitude. He is sociable and always willing to help fellow students when he can. Lorenz describes himself as "sporty" - his favorite sport being volleyball. He feels that being active helps people to stay fit and healthy. Lorenz says that time spent with his parents is very important to him. They enjoy going to the cinema, bowling, working in the garden, playing board games and eating out. He says he likes delicious food and is looking forward to trying American food with his host family. Lorenz likes animals and often takes the family dog (a tiny chihuahua) for walks, but also likes big dogs as well. Lorenz is looking forward to his exchange year - to experience American culture for himself with his host family and new friends.

Lorenzo from Italy is active and sporty, and loves playing basketball! He likes to explore, is fun, nice, and honest. When hanging out with friends, they like to walk to the city center, work out, and play basketball. Lorenzo enjoys cooking foods from Italy and other European countries, or Asian cuisine. With family, he likes to cook, go for walks, watch movies or shows, travel, or do some gardening. Lorenzo is close with his grandparents, uncle, aunt and cousin. Lorenzo says I hope I will learn and do new experiences that will make me a better person in all aspects. He also hopes to have a great time with his host family!

Meet Said, a multilingual boy from Azerbaijan. He lives with his parents and 2 sisters and enjoys quality family time including board games and movie nights. He plans to build a career around business and is adamant about contributing to the world. With friends he enjoys playing volleyball and volunteering, saying both endeavors foster teamwork and friendship. In his free time, Said enjoys reading, chess, and hiking in a nearby forest. Said is thankful for this opportunity to explore new experiences and looks forward to becoming the newest member of your family. FLEX SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Meet 16 year old Phat from Vietnam who goes by the English name Jimmy. He describes himself as an active and friendly person who loves to travel and have new experiences. Of course, he can't wait to experience life and the culture of the US first hand. Jimmy appreciates every opportunity presented to him and hopes to "live life to the fullest." Jimmy is close to the members of his family, all six of them, and also enjoys time with his friends. Jimmy is passionate about soccer and can be found playing a friendly game several times a week. In school, Jimmy enjoys studying chemistry with hopes to become a scientist or psychologist in the future. Will your family greet Jimmy at the airport and introduce him to life in the US?

Dive into an unforgettable experience with Kim, the passionate swimmer from Germany! Kim's love for swimming isn't just a hobby but a true passion, and she's also a dedicated instructor, hinting at her potential as a future educator. Described as friendly, hard-working, and generous, Kim thrives on staying active and being helpful around the house. Beyond her dedication to academics and chores, Kim's interests span a wide spectrum, from team sports and movies to outdoor activities and travel. Despite her strong bond with her family, Kim is determined to embark on her American dream, driven by a desire to immerse herself in English and experience life in the USA firsthand. Having explored various countries, Kim relishes the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, making her an ideal cultural ambassador. Balancing her time between family, friends, and hobbies, Kim cherishes meaningful connections and is eager to become a part of your family. She's grateful for the chance to join your household and hopes to share in your American traditions and adventures. Could your family be the one to welcome Kim and embark on an enriching cultural exchange?

Compassionate and well-rounded, meet Rozeta, from Armenia. Living with her mother, grandmother and younger sister, Rozeta has a wide range of interests, from science to movies, she says. With a particular interest in AI and robotics, Rozeta is leaning toward a career in data science or machine learning. Balanced between extrovert and introvert, Rozeta finds pleasure in the company of friends, but also enjoys solitary time for reading or listening to music. Family is the anchor in her life. They share evening dinner together, often followed by a movie, board game, or conversation about the day. Volunteering has helped Rozeta to develop leadership skills and problem solving, and to make many friends. She hopes to build a close relationship with her host family and would love to learn about the US through visiting historical and cultural sites. She is fond of dogs and would enjoy living in a home with a dog. Effective communication, collaboration and leadership skills allow her to build new relationships easily. Will you share your home and your heart with Rozeta next year?

Wanted: One active, sport-oriented host family. Active Alonso, from Spain, loves sports. . . . . . any kind of sports! A mover by nature, Alonso enjoys playing field hockey, soccer, and tennis competitively. With family, Alonso loves to ski during winter from their cabin in the mountains and swim during summers while at his grandfathers cottage on a Mediterranean beach. Family consists of his parents, an older brother, and a dog (who Alonso claims is like another brother!). Together, they travel internationally at least once a year. With a love of history and cultures, Alonso has dreamed of an exchange year in the US for awhile. He would love to try some new sportsmaybe ice hockey or something else that is not available to him in Spain. During free time, Alonso can often be found playing computer games or Playstation with friends. Future plans include studying business after high school and someday being a successful businessman. Is this the energetic student youe been seeking?

If you are an active, close-knit family, Karl Gustav is your boy! He has grown up watching weekend soccer with his dad and brother and explains how both watching and playing made him fall in love with the game. Karl Gustav also swims with his mom twice a week and endured the pandemic by taking long daily walks with her, talking all the way. February finds the family skiing in Sweden or France, summer often finds them on long cycling tours, and any car trip means listening to music together, something he considers very special. If your favorite sport isnt soccer, swimming, skiing, or cycling, Karl Gustav is ready to learn. In addition to family activities, he plays online games with friends, stocks shelves in a grocery store, keeps up with Danish and international politics, watches world history documentaries, and is teaching himself Italian. Having visited the West Coast on a family trip, observant, talkative, enthusiastic Karl Gustav is excited to get to know your part of the U.S. and to share Danish culture with you.

Eager Emilia from Argentina an active student with a passion for field hockey. She also enjoys playing soccer and watching many other sports like ice hockey and rugby. Emilia's school doesn't offer extracurricular activities, so she fantasizes about the sports or clubs she could join in the US! A dedicated student, Emilia enjoys both her classes and peers and is described as motivated, organized, and responsible by her teachers. When Emilia isn't busy with her studies or sports she enjoys gathering with friends to kayak or visit amusement parks. With her family she can be found playing card and board games, or visiting her parent's bakery. Emilia is interested in becoming a world traveler and has been dreaming of her exchange in US for years. She's gotten to visit a few times and says "every time I go, I like it more!" Will your family be the best part yet of Emilia's US obsession?

Introducing Maria, a curious 15 year old young lady from Spain. Maria lives with her parents and younger sister. This intelligent and interesting girl has a need for speed, and enjoys racing go-carts! Maria and her family have traveled to the US twice, and she can't wait to come back! She enjoys spending time with her friends, and they like watching the sunset at the beach together. Her teacher says that she is respectful, motivated, adaptable and curious. Her friends say that she is kind, a good friend, a good student, and hard-working. Maria can't wait to live like an American teenager! Will she become your newest family member?

Daniel, from Spain, is a cheerful, bright, confident boy with excellent leadership skills. His teacher adds that he is wonderful at conversations with all ages and always makes new students feel welcome. Daniel is thrilled to be coming to the USA with YFU for the coming school year. His father and aunts had gone on exchange and now it is his opportunity. He was scheduled to go on a short exchange to Florida through his school, but it was cancelled due to a hurricane hitting and destroying many homes. He is glad to now have a full year experience possible. Daniel loves basketball and hopes to be able to play on a school team. He also enjoys watching soccer and hopes he can be exposed to other sports such as football. Math and biology are his favorite subjects, and he hopes to become a pediatrician. Daniel's main non-school interests include technology, baking, and reading. With family and friends, he enjoys games, movies, and outdoor activities, especially watersports. He enjoys eating at home more than restaurants, but the main thing is spending time together. Daniel lived in England for two years with his family, so he experienced the challenges of living in a different culture when younger. He is looking forward to having it on a more independent level with a caring host family. He cant wait to meet your family and create wonderful memories together.

"Friendships are priceless" to Mara, 16, from Mongolia! This talented and cheerful guy is known as a leader and friend. His sensitive and encouraging nature is celebrated by his many friends who enjoy hanging out together, playing billiards, and other sports. He's an enthusiastic volleyball player and also shoots some hoops! Friends say he's 100% trustworthy and truly a jack of all trades. He enjoys listening to peaceful music. Mara's kind-hearted nature also applies to animals, and he kindly helps stray animals on the streets. So you can imagine how much he'll be loving on your pets! It's time to add this priceless guy to your family!

Alisa loves animals! Growing up in a family with dogs, cats, and five horses, she helps care for them, plays with the smaller animals, rides during the summer, and chose five years ago to become a vegetarian. Alisa attends a school emphasizing music and sports although, of course, also requiring standard academic courses. Alisa studies piano and plays during her free time while also devoting many after-school hours to the volleyball team. If possible, she would like to continue volleyball during her exchange year. Skiing, ice skating, swimming, and riding mopeds help fill her winter and summer outdoor hours, sometimes with family and other times with friends. Indoors she may be working at a local supermarket or home watching movies, volleyball, or soccer, listening to her favorite rap and pop music, or cooking. Alisha wants you to know she is very excited to learn about your family traditions and your daily life.

Victor, from Spain, is ready to make his exchange year a "slam dunk". This active, funny and talkative young man can't wait to start his next adventure. Victor loves to play basketball with his team in Spain and would love the opportunity to continue to play basketball while he is in the United States. He also plays the trumpet in a music group with his friends, another thing he would like to continue on exchange. His teacher says that he is a good student who contributes much to class and group work, allowing all students to participate and have their opinions heard. During his exchange year, Victor would like to improve his English, make many new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime. Having a friend who was an exchange student and sharing her experiences only makes Victor want to create his own store even more. Will you open your home, and maybe your basketball court, to Victor?