ON THIS PAGE WE WILL TRY TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND...the ins and outs of becoming a YFU exchange student. It is a big decision with some implications for you and your family. Going global and going abroad with YFU is a life-changing experience, but you need to:

 
* make sure you have what it takes to become an exchange student;
* choose the correct type of program that suits your needs and situation;
* take note of the financial implications; and
* follow the instructions in order to complete a successful application
  
YFU South Africa's most
popular destinations 
include:

* Germany
* Netherlands
* Switzerland
* Sweden
* Denmark
* France
* Chile
* And many other to choose
   from!
 
 
CHECK OUT OUR PROGRAM BROCHURE... in which you can see a country-by-country description of our going abroad programs and lots more information. Download the brochure by clicking on the icon to the right...
do you have what it takes?
1. Are you attending a South African high school and between 15 and 18 years old?
2. Are you achieving an aggregate C or above at school with good language abilities?
3. Are you independent enough to live abroad for 6 months or one year?
4. Are you willing to reach out to people of a different background than your own?
5. Do you have your parents' and school's support and approval to apply?
6. Are you willing to stay involved in YFU after your exchange?
making the right program choice
DESTINATION... you need to decide where you want to go. YFU South Africa offers many countries on its destination list, in Europe, North and South America, Asia, etc. Our most popular destinations are listed below:
 
germany
netherlands
belgium
switzerland
sweden
france
finland
denmark
hungary
estonia
norway
austria
chile
usa  
 
HOW LONG AND WHEN... you need to decide on which type of program you want to go. With this we mean the duration of the program and the departure time of the program.
 
Deciding on how long you want to go abroad is crucial. YFU's philosophy is that an exchange student only manages to fully integrate and immerse into a new culture over a period of 1 year. Therefore, we regard the 1-year high school exchange as our Golden Standard program. However, there are also programs of shorter duration, namely semester programs and short exchanges that typically last 6-8 weeks. Your decision will depend on your personal situation and wishes!
 
YFU's exchange programs generally start at two different times per year, namely late December or January, and July / August of each year. Some YFU countries only offer programs that start in July / August, so it is important that you make sure about this before making a final decision.
   
Visit the YFU International countries website
what does it all cost?
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE... that exchange programs by their very nature involve several expenses that cover various essential services and support. The fees of our main programs (1-year or 6-months exchanges), typically include the services listed below left:
  • recruitment, application and selection administration
  • general administrative support before departure
  • pre-departure preparation orientation
  • international flights
  • international travel & health insurance
  • airport support at departure and arrival
  • recruitment of and placement with a hostfamily
  • enrollment in a local high school
  • post-arrival, mid-term and re-entry orientations in host country
  • support by designated contact persons / professional counselling if needed
  • 24h emergency standby
TYPICAL FEE STRUCTURES OF YFU EXCHANGE PROGRAMS IN 2012:
1-year or 6-month exchange programs
On average R48,000 - R65,000
Short term 6-week exchange programs
R30,000
Scholarship aid for 1-year programs (strict terms and conditions apply - please consult the yfu head-office)
On average R26,500 - R30,000
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC PROGRAM FEES, CONTACT YOUR YFU REPRESENTATIVE OR YFU OFFICE, OR SUBMIT AN ON-LINE ENQUIRY FURTHER DOWN ON THIS PAGE...
how to apply...
THE APPLICATION PROCESS... involves several forms that need to be filled in. It also involves signed approval from your parents and a signed reference letter from either your school principal or class teacher. You will also need to send us your latest two school reports and obtain a medical and dental health certificate from your GP and dentist. Once you have been visited by our local YFU representative and made it through the selection interview, your parents will receive the program fee agreement which they need to sign and send back to us. At this stage, you will probably already have started the process of applying for a student visa for your exchange country. Several documents are necessary for the visa application, of which you will be informed by YFU.
 

STEP-BY-STEP APPLICATION:

STEP 1 Download the first part of the application form. Click here to download Bundle 1 of the YFU application form
STEP 2 Print out the form, fill it in, get your parents' signed approval and the other required documents and send it to the YFU office
STEP 3 The YFU office and / or your closest regional representative will then contact you to set up a visit and selection interview
STEP 4 If you are positively selected, you will be given the second part (Bundle 2) of the application forms to fill in, or download here...
STEP 5 More documents to collect. Must apply for a PASSPORT as soon as possible!
STEP 6 Once all the forms and documents are completed, YFU will courier them to the YFU office in your country of choice. A hostfamily will be recruited for you and you will be enrolled in a high school.
STEP 7 When a family and school have been found for you, you will apply for your student visa.
STEP 8 Your visa is issued, and now you are waiting for the BIG DAY of departing on the adventure of a lifetime!
STEP 9 GOOD-BYE! AU REVOIR! AUF WIEDERSEHEN!
testimonials 
NABEEL - YFU EXCHANGE STUDENT TO DENMARK
"As most exchange students will agree, it was probably one of the best years of my life... my being there, as a South African,
deconstructed Danish peoples' notions and stereotypes of South Africa."
Read more...
 
JOHANNES - YFU EXCHANGE STUDENT TO THE NETHERLANDS
"My year in Holland was the most amazing year of my life...it didn't only teach me a whole new culture, but taught me to survive
in a world culture... I learnt that even though we all are so different, we still have something in common."
Read more...
 

Submit your on-line Going Abroad enquiry:
Name and Surname:
E-mail:

Mobile No:
Please supply your age, and name of your town and school. Send us your question!
 

 

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