Exchange program helps students have global outlook
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Michael Hill, president of the Youth for Understanding (YFU) USA / Korea Times photo by Yoon Sung-won
By Joel Lee
In this era of dynamic globalization, cultural exchanges offer students a good chance to develop an international outlook, according to Michael Hill, president of Youth for Understanding (YFU) USA.
The YFU program, initiated in 1951 as an exchange program for students from Germany and the U.S., was set up to spread democracy and heal the wounds of World War II.
The philosophy of globalism still lives on in the cultural exchange program that has now expanded to over 50 countries, Hill said in an interview with The Korea Times, Friday.
Each year, as part of the program, about a 100 students visit the U.S. with nearly one-third of them coming from Korea. YFU Korea invites 38 high school students from different countries annually.
Hill said the main benefit of the program is allowing students to experience the culture of the hosting country.
“Students that don’t directly experience the culture tend to operate in stereotypes of the culture. We help our students overcome the challenges of studying abroad and allow them to experience American culture firsthand through our home-stay accommodations.”
Once students pass the preliminary English proficiency test and a psychological evaluation, they then spend about 10 months with an American host family. The host families are chosen from both urban and rural communities, to reflect diversity.
So what can Korean and American students learn from this exchange program?
“Korean students can participate in various sporting events and arts and cultural activities which they don’t have much chance to do in Korea. At the same time, American students can learn from the rigorous standards of excellence handled by the Korean students,” Hill said.
He explained that American students lately have not been too keen on international activism. However, by participating in global programs such as the one offered by YFU, they will gain a much broader worldview and mature as global citizens for the rest of their lives.
“Many students that participated in exchange programs in the U.S. will come back for higher education following their career aspirations. We can also help them find higher education opportunities in the U.S. during their stay,” He added.
As a nonprofit organization, YSU USA operates through program fees along with various fundraising events. The spirit of goodwill — through advocacy and volunteering for the program — has been central to the program’s continued success.
For more information visit, www.yfu-usa.org or www.yfukorea.org.