There are 5 Orientations, 1 is required for host families and 4 are required for ALL students,
meant to prepare, inform, and support students and host family members.

Pre-Arrival Orientation (for host families)  During this meeting, families are given important information about YFU regulations and recommendations. This meeting is required for all host families to attend, both new host families and experienced.

Landing Orientation is required for students only. This important orientation is meant to guide and assess students, to get off on a GREAT start.  See calendar of events for dates.

Post-Arrival Orientation is required for international students and host family members. See calendar of events for details. This important meeting discusses issues related to host families as well as international students. Everyone is strongly encouraged to attend (please only siblings over 8 years old).

Mid-Winter Orientation is required for students ONLY. This meeting is meant to ensure that all students are doing well in all aspects.  This is a great opportunity for students to express any concerns or to share their experiences.

Re-Entry Orientation is required for international students only. Watch the calendar of events for more details. This important meeting prepares international students to return to family life in their home country. All students are required to attend. This important meeting prepares the students to return to their natural countries.

Students may miss upto 10 days (5/semester) to travel with Host Family.

YFU students are NOT PERMITTED to miss school unless traveling with their Host Family.

Travel Forms

YFU Permission to Travel Forms are required when:
1) the trip is longer than two days
2) the trip involves travel to another state

Host Parents and the YFU student should complete the Permission to Travel form, notify your Area Rep as to the dates and destination of your travel prior to submitting the travel form to the District Office.

SEE BELOW FOR OUSIDE US TRAVEL.

YFU sponsored trips: Students & Host Families must coordinate these trips with the tour company (Explore America) No Permission to Travel Form is necessary for these trips. Please Contact your Area Rep with questions.

School sponsored trips:  Students traveling with school groups must complete a Travel Permission Form Complete all sections that apply to the trip Submit completed forms to the Area Rep. The Area Rep will, in turn, submit the travel form to District Office. Please

contact your Area Rep with questions.

Students are not permitted to miss school unless traveling with their Host Family 5 days/semester. (This means ANYONE, Natural Parents as well)

Travel Q & A

OUTSIDE US TRAVEL

Additional Documentation may be needed, please contact the Consulate for the Country you wish to travel to.

Please keep in mind if you are planning on going outside the US, your student will need to send away to the National YFU USA Office attn: Margie Ott, YFU USA , 6400 Goldsboro Road # 100 Bethesda, Maryland 20817 to get the program officer's signature on their DS2019 form (separate paper in their passport) in order to return to the United States.  They would be detained for a considerable period of time w/o that signature and advance planning. Plus submit the Travel Form to the District Office. If you are considering this, you would need to send a $10 check (DO NOT SEND CASH) w/ their DS2019 address above plus it is a good idea to photocopy the DS2019 prior to sending it to Margie.. They will FedEx it back to you with that necessary signature. Two wks is the reasonable turn around time. For Mexico info., you may find this website helpful.  From left top menu, click on visas then on tourist visa, scroll down to bottom of page. http://portal.sre.gob.mx/chicago/index.php?Itemid=1

AVI Insurance

*POLICY #07AST004620.064K*

**Prescription claims are on Page 4**

ARMSCO
P 0 BOX 3514
San Rafael, CA 94912

Policy #: 07AST004620.064K

ARMSCO does not replace the previous insurance company. ARMSCO is simply handling any unresolved claims accumulated prior to February 8, 2008.
For any new claims the new administrator for AVI is Canadian Medical Network (CMN). CMN is the new Alarm Center for all emergency calls, 24 hours per day. All medical inquires, approvals, and new emergencies or all new recurring medical care from a previous illness/accident need to be addressed with CMN.

Toll Free Number 1-866-813-8141

CMN
P.O. Box 321
266 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222

Insurance cards should be arriving soon. See insurance info:  REALLY IMPORTANT: 

AVI, the insurance company that covers most of the stds, requires that they be called BEFORE taking stds to the doctor - even for minor illnesses.   It is recommended that stds pay the provider and submit the claim for reimbursement.  It’s very unlikely that any kind of pre-existing condition will be covered.  The scope of the insurance is pretty narrow, so HFs should never assume that any particular treatment will be covered.  They should always check with the insurance company before going forward with any treatment.  Insurance cards and YFU ID cards will be sent shortly after arrival. Contact your Area Rep or Field Director if you have not received one. Have your std carry theirs in their wallet or purse at all times,  and yours should be with you always.