About YFU

YFU is one of the world’s oldest and largest organizations for international youth exchanges. It is a non-profit organization committed to the support of intercultural understanding and education. The organization has its origins in the aftermath of World War II.

From 1951 on, the Government of the United States organized and financed stays for German young people in the United States. The objective of this program was to give them the chance to spend one year in a democratic and prospering country, hoping that they would bring positive impulses back to their devastated home country.

Since 1957

After the end of this initiative, former exchange students founded the German Youth For Understanding Committee in 1957 to keep the exchange alive. Today, YFU Germany is run by 1500 volunteers that are supported and coordinated by the organization’s national office in Hamburg.

Since the 1950s, more and more countries have joined the YFU community: Today, apart from sending students to 41 countries worldwide, YFU Germany welcomes around 500 students from 45 countries every year.