YFU MINNESOTA WELCOMES YOU!!

Established in 1951 by Dr. Rachel Andresen, YFU is an educational, registered, non-profit organization that prepares young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world. see details.

  Read more by clicking here or by clicking on the Monthly Address at the top for a letter from Betsy our Minneapolis Field Director...  

Advice from your Field Director at YFU:

As you think of leaving the family who has fed & provided for you this year, the school who has welcomed and taught you, the community who has sheltered you, the church who has become a second family to you, think of how to show your gratitude. One idea is to write a letter of thanks to the Principal, the church, or the town/city newspaper perhaps in the form of a letter to the editor/congregation/school. Let them know how much this has meant to your life. Have your host family proofread it before you send it. But send it soon!

Ask yourself in the coming days..."How do I wish to be remembered?" Do you want people to remember the way you offered to help out when needed, you pitched in when things needed to be done, the way you responded in a positive way or with a smile when people asked you about life here? Be certain to leave a mark of excellence where so many people will be left thinking: "Gee, I'd like to host a student like Larissa, or Felicia, or Yuka, or Max, Nils, Ingrid or Sally!" Be that student. Go ahead and leave that legacy. Youth For Understanding and the next students are depending on you. And thank you for keeping the light burning here and around the world, as you leave and spread that light. YOU ARE YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING!

Betsy Kiefer

Be sure to CLICK EVENTS for details on the following:

TWINS BASEBALL GAME AT TARGET FIELD MONDAY MAY 28th...

The procedure for COD (changing your departure or filling out a Change of Departure Request) is:  

1)       Check w/ your Natural Parents to formalize your plans

2)       Check the visa & passport expiration dates! (ok to return up to 30 days after visa expiration; Passport cannot be expired!)

3)       Make certain it is ok with your Host Parents without applying any pressure!

4)       Fill out the Change of Departure request w/ dates  

5)       Pay the COD fee (it does go up, the longer you wait) and include that check in the envelope and mail it all in.

6)  Understand that once you have extended your stay, you will need to purchase extra health & dental insurance for the duration of your stay

*German students: your Natural Parents need to do the COD from Germany.

We are always seeking host families. Please visit the Student Profile page to see a preview of some of our current students looking for homes. If you have any questions please contact us.