A German student experience in Bulgaria... Suzi Jaeckel

Last year, in the middle of August, Suzi landed in Sofia, Bulgaria, to begin her one-year exchange experience. She was 15 when she took that plane. And now, several months later, we asked her to look back and tell us a bit about her experience. This is what she has to share with us!:

"Exchange is changing. Changing in every way that is possible. From the outside, from the inside. Your way of thinking, the way you see people, your habits. You are changing your life and after that, it will never be like before again.

For me, this happens in Bulgaria. A small country in Europe, even in the European Union, but so different. 16 years of my life I spent in Germany, which is not so far from Bulgaria if you see it from a geographical point of view. As in for the culture, the people, the mentality and almost everything else, it's just so different. Sometimes, even the opposite.

So, to start from the beginning: It is the August 14th, 2015. In the middle of the night, my family and I are on the way to the airport, to say "Goodbye!", for almost one year. I decided to go, to change, to gain experiences – good ones and bad ones – to have fun, to learn a new culture and a new language.

The plane flies over Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and lands in Bulgaria. The whole time I couldn't realise what I was doing there. Why would I leave Germany for one year? My friends, my family, my whole life? Just to start a new one in another place. It seemed crazy, but also so unbelievable and interesting.

- Now I am at the point where I know why I did all that; what exchange really means. I know about its benefits, the sides that are difficult and, of course, I learnt about Bulgaria and now I would like to share these things. -

Ádám (our Hungarian exchange student) 
and Suzi during their Bulgarian course!

We are 7 exchange students this year in Bulgaria and our exchange started with a 1-month language course in Sofia before we started the school in different places all around Bulgaria. This first month gave us so many different impressions, we started learning a language, that is completely different from our own and we could share our impressions, feelings, experiences and so on directly with the others, because we saw each other almost every day in the course or after that in the city centre, where we enjoyed the summer evenings and afternoons.

But the real exchange started in the middle of September. A new family, for most of us a new city in Bulgaria, school, and that meant again a new environment. We already learnt, how the life in a host family is and how we should behave because we started to get to know the differences between the Bulgarian culture and the culture where we have been living our entire life before.

My year was supposed to take place in Blagoevgrad, a smaller city in south-western Bulgaria, but as everybody will tell you, sometimes there are unexpected things happening. Things that are not really cool, but you learn from them. And so it was for me. After one month I returned back to Sofia, leaving my new friends, my hobbies and my school because I just had bad luck with my host family views on some things in the world that made it impossible for me to live there. So I had to leave Blagoevgrad and I returned to Sofia. There were 1 or two days, where I was really sad, but my friends from Sofia helped me over this time.

The view from Suzi's house in Sofia!

However, there was a new host family waiting for me in Sofia. It was obviously the best thing that could ever have happened to me. I came into a family with two parents and two lovely sisters, that are now a real family for me! We are doing things together, eating dinner together and I just get along with them so well. We have even been in Austria on vacation, where we were snowboarding and skiing and it was really great!

And another one, during sunset

In the time I spent here I learnt to adapt to different situations, the Bulgarian culture and I learnt to speak the language of the country, that I can now call my home. But what's so different in Bulgaria and Germany? I am going to try to explain that, but it could be really hard since you have to experience all these things within a long time. To start with the mentality, I would say that the biggest difference is the fact that Bulgarians are so opened. You get to know a person and they start talking about anything from their life or just what they are thinking about, which makes it a lot easier to get to know many different people and to make friends. In Germany, I was used to getting to know other people a lot slower.

When you come to Bulgaria, you will always here the sentence "Има време!", which means "there is time!" Being some minutes late for meetings is no problem. Doing things only in the last moment is completely normal and no one will be mad at you for that. Also, if anything that you have done is not perfect, people are pleased with what you have done, which is a really great feeling. I once did the dishes and broke a glass. In Germany it would be a problem and most people would just see that you broke something, but not that you helped. Here my host dad just told me that it happens when you are doing something like that and that it is absolutely no problem. I really like that part of the mentality.

Suzi's martenitsas ♥

The school takes a big part of my life and all of the exchange students that come to Bulgaria. The school system is really different from the one in Germany. There are good parts and others that I don't like very much. Of course, every school system has its benefits and negative points. Here the students don't discuss with the teacher: she or he is always correct. Most of the lessons are writing exactly the things that the teacher says. Such thing as "creative thinking" is really none existing, but the younger teachers are starting to try it. My Ethics teacher, who is really young for example, asks for our opinion and we do a lot of presentations there. In the next years, there will also be a lot of changes in the system and it is going to be more modern than now. On the other side the school is a lot shorter than in Germany, here we start at 7:30 finish at 1:15 or even 12:30 two times a week and in Germany I often had school from 8:00 to around 4 o' clock. So after doing the homework, there is still a lot of free time left, which is actually really great.

Suzi and Eva (our Danish exchange student)

The food – It is so different. Bulgarians are so proud of their food (and also of their county. The Bulgarian flag is everywhere!). There are at least 15 things that you have to try if you come to Bulgaria. The most famous one is Banitsa, which is basically kind of phyllo dough with Sirene (its cheese, that you can only get here) and then it's baked in the oven. Eating Banitsa always makes me happy. With my host family I also learnt how to make the Banitsa, that was funny and it is not so hard. The yoghurt is also a thing that is really Bulgarian because the bacteria for it can only be found here in Bulgaria and it has a special taste. If you see a drink called "boza" on the street, try it. I don't want to say anything about the taste, but it is ... surprising. ;)

Exchange also gave me some other moments that will never ever be possible if I would have stayed in Germany. Or would you ever get an accent in your mother tongue without living abroad? Could you ever call two places far away from each other your "home" or two families YOUR families? How could it be possible to learn a language that you couldn't talk at all before within a year, without going to live somewhere else?

This year gave me the opportunity to get to know who I am. To question things that I always did the same way. To think about stereotypes, to tolerate all kind of people's characters, to adapt to a country that I had only known from my geography book in school. This year is like the ultimate opportunity in life!

Until my return to Germany, there is only a relatively small time left and I really want to enjoy being together with my family and friends here, because the time went by so fast and it will never come again!"

Suzi, thank you so much for sharing this with us. We know you'll have an amazing rest of the year!

Опитът на един ученик на обмен в Дания... Яна Иванова (A student experience in Denmark... Iana Ivanova)

Our dear student Iana took the time to answer some questions, so let's jump right into it! 

(You can find the English version below)

Как се чувствам в Дания сега?

В Дания съм от 7 месеца и ми остават още само 4. И като си помисля, че времето ми тук свършва не мога да повярвам колко бързо отлетя! Все още не мога да осъзная, че ще напусна дома, приятелите и семейството си тук. Как се чувствам ли? Чувствам се щастлива, че съучениците ми, другите ученици на обмен и най-вече приемното ми семейство отвориха сърцата и домовете си и споделихме толкова невероятни моменти заедно! Знам, че винаги когато се върна ще има при кого да дойда и ще ме приемат отново с отворени обятия. Беше ми тъжно когато напусках дома си за 11 месеца, но знаех че ще се върна. А когато трябва да напусна и втория си дом и никога вече няма да имам този живот- тук и сега… сърцето ми се свива само при мисълта за това. Сега Дания е моят дом и аз го обичам, както и всички с които направихме тези месеци незабравими!

Какво най-много ме изненада от страната?

Когато заминавах за Дания не знаех много за страната и хората тук. Четох много и бях чувала доста стереотипи, за това си признавам, че първото което ме изненада е, че не всички са високи, руси и стройни . Тук има хора от всякаква раса, религия и сексуална ориентация, хора с различни възможности и социален статус и всички са равни! Очаквах хората да са по-консервативни и традиционно мислещи, но те ме изненадаха с безграничното си приемане на различни култури и начини на мислене и техните „странности“ 

Нещо за семейството ми…

Ах! Семейството ми е страхотно! Много сме различни един от друг и въпреки това станахме семейство. Спомням си първия ден, когато дойдох при тях, колко бях развълнувана и леко стресната от голямата промяна, но те бяха до мен. Направиха всичко, за да се почувствам като у дома си. И от тогава не спират да се интересуват от мен, а аз знам че мога да споделя с тях, ако нещо ме тревожи или ми липсва България. Показаха ми неща за които дори не съм се и замисляла (пр: карамелизирани картофи:D ) Заедно ходихме на невероятни места, и са винаги готови да се погрижат за мен, когато имам нужда от тях. Те са веселяци и през цялото време се смеем и забавляваме, за по-добре прекарано време с тях не мога и да мечтая!

Какво научих до сега?

Не знаех, че за толкова кратко време е възможно да науча толкова много неща, както за себе си, така и за света и хората около мен. В датския езика има една дума- „hygge“. Тя не може да се преведе, но описва чувството когато си заедно с близки за теб хора, вътре, на топло и играете „Не се сърди човече“ ;). Предполагам, че на български думата би била „уют“ + „любов“. Пълният смисъл на думата разбрах на Коледа, когато цялото семейство пяхме песни около елхата, ядохме сладкиши и си разменяхме подаръци! Освен езика и всички нови емоции мисля, че едно от най-важните неща които научих на обмена си до сега е как всичко си има по няколко пласта. Когато се намираш в страна където всичко е различно и хората възприемат света по различен начин е неизбежно и ти самия да погледнеш на нещата от друг ъгъл. Винаги съм смятала това за изключително качество. Това е най-ценния урок който научих още в първите си месеци тук и мисля че живота в друга държава е най-бързия начин да го науча!

Какво бих казала на всеки който иска да стане ученик на обмен с YFU?

Знам, че изглежда плашещо просто да „зарежеш“ живота си у дома, семейството и приятелите си. Страшно е и да се озовеш сам на място където никой не те разбира (поне в началото) и е трудно да се справиш с чувствата бушуващи вътре в теб, знам. Но истината е, че не си сам! YFU е като едно огромно семейство, което се грижи за теб, но отдалече, за да ти даде достатъчно пространство да изявиш целия си потенциал. Всички в организацията разбират през какво минаваш и са до теб, за да ти помогнат. Също така има още толкова много стреснати ученици, които изживяват абсолютно същото като теб. А най-якото е, че откъдето и да идват, колкото и да сте различни те стават най-добрите ти приятели! Това и е уникалното на тази година- запознаваш се с изключително много хора с които още след третия ден от лагера имаш чувството че сте били заедно от малки. От напълно непознати, за една година, станахме семейство! Родителите ми обичат да казват, че да отидеш на обмен е като съвременна казарма, защото калява характера ;). Аз обаче бих казала, че това е възможно най-забавната версия на предстоящия ни живот като възрастни. Вместо да се хвърлиш направо в дълбокото, първо се гмуркаме плавно и неусетно за да видим красотата която ни очаква. Никой не обещава, че е лесно, но бих го направила отново и отново защото определено си заслужава!

How do I feel in Denmark?

It has been 7 months that I am in Denmark and I have only 4 more. And when I think that my time is coming to an end, I cannot believe how fast it flies away. I still cannot believe that I will have to leave my new home, friends, and family in Denmark. How do I feel? I feel so happy that my classmates, the other exchange students, and most importantly my host family have opened their hearts and homes and we have spend so many incredible moments together. I know that every time I come back in Denmark, I will have a place where I will be welcomed. I was sad when I had to leave my home for 11 months, but I knew I will come back again. And now when I think that I will have to leave my second home, and I will never “live this life ever again” my heart is aching. Now Denmark is my home – I love my new home, as well as all the people who made these months unforgettable!

What surprised me the most in Denmark? When I left Bulgaria to come in Denmark, I did not know anything about the country and the people. I had read a lot and I had heard many different stereotypes. This is the reason I was very surprised that not everyone is tall, blond and in good shape. In Denmark you can see people from different race, religion, and sexual orientation, as well as people having different social status, and they are all equal! I was expecting the people to be more conservative, but I was surprised by their acceptance of other cultures and mindsets and by their cure little weird habits.

Something about my family…

I have a great family! We are very different, but we have became a real family! I remember the first day when I met them – I was so excited and somewhat scared of the big change, but they were there for me. They made everything, so that I feel at home. Since that moment, they have always been taking care of me, and I know that I can tell them when I am worried or homesick. They have shown me new things—caramelized potatoes, for example. Together we have been to wonderful places, and they are always there for me when I need them. They are happy people, we laugh and we have fun all the time – I could not imagine a better way to spend may time with them.

What have I learned so far?

I did not know that for so little time I could learn so many new things about myself, as well as the world and the people around me. In Danish we say „hygge“. It has no translation, but describes this feeling when you are surrounded by your loved ones at a warm place where you play together board games (Ludo, for example). I guess the closest translation of that word would be “cosy” + “love”. The full sense of this word I learned on Christmas when we were singing songs around the Christmas tree, we were eating sweets, and exchanging gifts. During my exchange I have discovered not only the language and many new emotions, but also that everything in this world has several layers. When you live in a country where everything is different and the people see the world in a different way, it is only a matter of time that you too start looking from their perspective. I have always considered this to be a great feature! This is the most important lesson I have learned during my first months here, and I believe living in another country was the fastest way to learn it.

What would I say to a student who wants to go on exchange with YFU?

I know that it may look scary to “leave” you live, family, and friends. It is also scary to find yourself at a place where people do not understand you (at least in the beginning). It is also difficult to deal with all those feelings, I know that. But the true is that you are not alone in this! YFU is one big family that will take care of you while giving you enough space to show your full potential. Everyone in the organization know what are you dealing with you right now and will help you in that. There are also many other scared students who are going through exactly the same as you do. And the best part is that you may come from different places and be so different from each other, but you always become best friends! This is what makes this year so special – you meet so many new people and you have the feeling that you have always been friends. We were complete strangers, now we are family! My parents used to say that going on exchange in like going in the army, because it makes you stronger! I would say that this is the best version of what is waiting for us in our adult life. Instead of going in the deep right away, we take little steps in order to see the beauty that is waiting us. No one says it will be easy, but I would do it again and again, because it is definitely worth it!

A student experience in Austria... Antonia Kamenowa

This week our sweet student Antonia, a 10th grader from Botevgrad, told us a little bit about how's her experience going in Austria. She's been living in Salzburg, Austria, for about 6 months now, and she has some interesting insights to share! 

Here we go:

"So, as you know I'm an exchange student in Austria. I came here after 15 long hours with a bus. Then, I was on a train for 3 hours having no idea where I was going. I was just sitting in the there, smiling at everyone, because I was scared. After those 3 hours went by I was in Salzburg, my second home for one year.

When the train door opened, I saw him, my second father. He was happy to see me. I hug him and I felt safe. After that, I turned and I saw four girls and my host-mother running towards me. I told myself that I'm lucky to have people like them around me. 

At the train station... My first day here in Austria!

As my host-mother said, my first day was "my free day from speaking German", but then I learned the language so fast! It's a little bit funny because now my German is better than my English.

About cultural differences in between Bulgaria and Austria, Antonia says:


"That's a large theme but, for example, in Austria everything is planned. You know where you are you on holidays 6 months ahead, or when is your next school test. In Bulgaria you aren't so organised. You can make so many things spontaneously."

My first prom!

A pic from my Art class trip to Venezia, and the second
picture is my host sis and I celebrating in Austria's traditional dresses. 
It was so fun!

We also asked her about her Christmas time abroad:

Christmas day was so funny haha... 
Our first photo with a selfie stick!

"What about my first Christmas far away from my family? 
It was really strange, but it was wonderful. I was with so many friends and I was really happy, knowing people like them."

And also my first meeting with a donkey!

New Year's was awesome with our friends from Stuttgart. We miss them so much now...

"I'm proud to be part of Gehmacher's family. It's really funny because we are like kids sometimes, just laughing, singing, playing different kinds of games and so many other things together. I also have the sister I've always wanted. She is an amazing person and I also appreciate everything that she's done for me."

Thank you, Antonia, for sharing all of this with us! What's left of your exchange year will only get better and better!

Changing the world one Colored Glasses workshop at a time

This post was written by Paula Agüero, our Argentinian intern.

As a former exchange student, YFU volunteer, current intern and human being that simply doesn't live in the same country where born; there's a set of questions I'm used to hear. There's as well a set of answers. Short. Simple. Sweet. They are true, yes, but I do cringe inside every time I give them.
The other night I was having a Bulgarian dinner with Bulgarian people, as you could expect when you move to Bulgaria, and I was asked one of the very well known set of questions: the ones that start with “why”. I gave my very well-known answer: because blah blah blah... and to get to understand this culture.

“You will never understand this country. You're not Bulgarian”

Conversation goes on. And yes, my country is not doing great either. 

“And what are you doing about this? How will you “change the world”?

In all fairness, all my short answers can sound very idealistic. For me, the fact that bad things happen it’s understood and I don't want to dive into the cruelness and darkness of the world in the first two minutes of drinking my rakija. I wish I could explain how “changing the world” is the headline and ultimate goal, yes, but for us that's the tip of the iceberg. And I really don't think we had enough rakija to go through it all.
When I do a Colored Glasses workshop, it's not the world I'm trying to change but one kid's mind. I'm not aiming to start a revolutionary explosion with this workshops, I'm just setting off a chain reaction. I'm not going to explain this or give examples, just take my word for it... at least for now.

The “Colored Glasses” name is not aleatory, разбира се. It's in reference to the widely known Colored Glasses analogy. In short:

You, Bulgarian, yellow glasses. Me, Argentinian, blue glasses. We were born with them just like the rest of the Bulgarians and Argentinians. We see the world, reality, through this glasses. For Argentinians, reality is blue. For Bulgarians, yellow.

Our worlds would crash forever if we kept on shouting “YOU'RE WRONG THAT TABLE IS CLEARLY BLUE/YELLOW”. Instead of only asking what is that you see, I should be asking why you see it. Take me through your life path. Make me go with you to the beginning of all. Get frustrated with me when I hit those bumps on the road and it looks like I won't be able to get it.

Get mad.
And calm down.

Calm down so you can start once again.

We are finally at the point where you can show me you were born with this view. But this process is never one-sided: by getting so frustrated with me, you'll understand my frustration as well. If you were able to convince me, it's because you listened. In the process you will learn about my yellow glasses and, by no means, you'll try to take them off. You know you can't. They are attached. But I can, however, put on a pair of Bulgarian glasses. 

And now my reality is green.

Yes, I will never be a Bulgarian. And I'm not aiming to. I'm just trying to understand where you come from in order to empathize with you. That's the only thing I want, and the only thing we need: empathy.
With the workshops, in the end, what I'm trying to get across as a Colored Glasses facilitator is actually just a reminder. I need to remind one kid that, as a person, he or she is an empathetic being. And, as a person, that kid needs to exercise that power. Then, they will have the power to understand (without the necessity to agree) a thousand of realities. Trust me, only afterward, you will be able to actually begin to understand your own. And this is the first step needed to take -appropriate- action.

To answer this man's last question: I am not changing the world. I'm just changing some kids minds.

And that means the world to me.

Pau

If you are interested in collaborating with the Colored Glasses project, there are two ways you can do that:

1. Become a teamer! If you live in Bulgaria, contact us for more info. We will be holding a training in Sofia from February 26th till the 28th.

2. Donate to our cause here. Whatever amount you can give us makes Colored Glasses grow better and bigger in Bulgaria! 

Spend Christmas on Exchange in the Balkans

Bulgarian Christmas feast (source)

3 Countries – 2 Christmases – 1 Experience!

Have you ever thought you could have the chance to experience your favorite childhood celebration twice in one year? What if you could do this, and at the same time, learn about foreign countries, their people, and how they celebrate one of the most important and significant holidays in their culture? This is exactly what you can do with the Balkans 3-2-1 Christmas Program. As you travel through Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia over 6 weeks, you will gain a fascinating insight into the Balkans and how they celebrate the Christmas period!

Your journey will start in Bucharest, Romania. Although the country has a reputation for being the homeland of Count Dracula, this need not affect your Christmas mood as you arrive two days before the day of St. Nicholas. According to locals, St Nicholas’ Day on December 6 marks the beginning of the winter and Christmas celebrations in Romania. Legend has it that on the night of December 5, St. Nicholas himself comes and fills children’s boots with candies and other gifts. You will spend two weeks here attending a Romanian school before the Christmas break, and learning about their culture and Christmas traditions.

On December 20, your group will depart for Bulgaria, where you will celebrate your first Christmas of the program. In the capital city of Sofia, you can do your Christmas shopping in the traditional German Christmas market, or take a day to climb the city’s 2000-metre high mountain, Vitosha, where you can look over the sprawling city. Bulgaria has many Christmas traditions that are still followed by some people, including keeping a vegetarian diet during the weeks before Christmas. When they have their major feast on Christmas Eve, it is tradition to only lay an odd number of dishes on the table, and leave the leftovers there until the next morning in case the ghosts of deceased family members are hungry.

After spending your first Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Bulgaria, you will head to Serbia. The Serbs celebrate Christmas on January 7 instead of December 25, as according to the old Julian calendar. So here, you will get to celebrate your second Christmas! The traditions surrounding a Serbian Christmas are often very complex, including finding the perfect tree branch to burn on the fire, and spreading straw and walnuts over the floor on Christmas Eve. There is also the custom of ‘koleda’, where a group of masked and costumed young men go from house to house singing special songs and performing acts of magic to summon health, wealth, and prosperity for each household. So, be prepared for anything!

If spending this coming Christmas in the Balkans sounds like something you’d like to do, contact your local YFU organization about how to apply, or click here for dates and more information.

How to Deal With Culture Shock During Your Exchange Year

Moving to another country to study abroad is sure to be one of the most wonderful and exhilarating experiences in your life, but it can also be very daunting! Finding yourself in unfamiliar surroundings can sometimes be difficult, and the things you originally thought of as exotic can quickly turn into things that make you feel annoyed, uncomfortable or homesick. But you shouldn’t let it get you down, and we’re here to help you work through your culture shock and make sure your exchange year is the best experience it could possibly be!

Here’s a list of things to help you deal with culture shock, if it happens:

1: Do your research

Before you go on your exchange, it helps to know what to expect! Go online and read blogs written by people living in your new city/country, watch some local movies or television shows, and read books about it. Trying to learn the language before you get there also helps. Even if you can only say ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’, it will go a long way in the first few weeks. Researching your new home won’t tell you everything there is to know, but it will help you ease into the culture much more successfully.

2: Find a friend in your new culture

Making close friends with locals in your new home is one of the most important parts of being an exchange student, and they can help you more than you might realise. Whether this is a member of your host family or a friend at school, find someone who can help you understand things about your new culture that you find confusing or overwhelming. They will most likely be happy to help explain things!

3: Do something familiar

If you’re feeling particularly out of place, things that remind you of home can help a lot. Figure out how to make your favorite food from home, and cook it for your host family! If there’s a holiday from your home culture, have a celebration for it and invite all your new friends. Listen to music and watch movies in your own language. Sometimes you just need to have a little connection with home to make you feel less isolated!

4: Write down your feelings

Keeping a private journal can really help you to work through the feelings you have about your new home. You can then later look back and see how much you have grown and changed since the beginning of your exchange year. You can also take your journal and turn it into a blog for your family and friends to read, but just make sure you don’t post anything too negative while you’re still in the worst of culture shock—you don’t want to unintentionally hurt your host family and new friends.


The important thing to remember about going on a student exchange is that you’re there to learn as much as possible about your new culture. Although at times your new home might seem confronting, you will finish your exchange with a much bigger world view and new perspectives on your own culture.

Make sure that when you are on exchange you are not always thinking about your home country, and try not to make constant comparisons between the two cultures. You will miss out on many new and unique experiences by doing this! Exchanges are not always easy and there will be bad moments, but they are worth it for the amazing memories and great friends you will make that will stay with for a lifetime.

Becoming a YFU Volunteer - A Little Cog in a Big Machine

This post was written by Yana, a former exchange student in Germany and one of our YFU Bulgaria volunteers. 

Hello! My name is Yana and I am a volunteer at Youth For Understanding Bulgaria. I was on exchange in Germany during 2012/2013, and it completely changed my life. While in Germany, I met so many people who worked and volunteered for YFU. Without their efforts YFU would not exist, as even the smallest contributions are always part of something big and important.

Upon my return to Bulgaria, I wanted to help and contribute to the YFU community, since they had given so much to me, and I became a volunteer in the YFU Bulgaria office. At first I only did small tasks, like translating documents and giving a presentation about my exchange year. As my experience grew, they also asked me to be a mentor to an inbound student from Estonia.

Little by little, I realised how much the staff of YFU Bulgaria appreciated my efforts, even for the smallest things. I started to take on more and more responsibility, hoping to make their work easier. My efforts are always rewarded with smiles, warmth and further confidence in my abilities. This has taught me that all help is important and everything I do is significant, because no machine can move without the help of the small cogs.

I am one of the many cogs in our organisation - I am small, but I am important!

I know there are many young people like me: bubbly, full of ideas and with a desire to conquer the world. But conquering the world, as great as it sounds, must start with something small, and the small things will slowly but surely bring you to your goal.

To me, volunteering for YFU is like a calling, and it was impossible not to get involved. You can’t help but admire the work they do, and this is especially true if you know how much effort goes into sending students abroad! There are a lot of people behind the scenes at YFU. While they rarely stand up to reap the fruits of their labor, these are the people who make everything happen.

However, even they can't do it all themselves. At the end of the day, YFU will always need help from volunteers; people who appreciate what they do and who are willing to work alongside them to change students' lives. I am extremely proud to say that I am a part of this organisation. I know I am working for something bigger than me, something global--something that will have a positive impact on even the most disinterested people in the world!

Most YFU organisations need volunteers year-round, so if you're interested in having a lot of fun and adding some great experience to your CV, then contact your local organisation to see how you can help them. Go to yfu.org to see a list of our organisations and their contact details. 

5 Reasons to Become a YFU Host Family

Previous exchange student Anika with her host family

YFU organizations all over the world are currently looking for host families for the 2014/2015 academic year, so we put together a list of five reasons why you should host a YFU exchange student. Becoming a YFU family is a great opportunity to make the world your home and become part of a wonderful global community! Here are just a few reasons why you should welcome a student into your home this year:

1. A new relationship that will last forever

Deciding to become a YFU family is a very big decision to make, and we want your relationship with your exchange student to be as special as possible. YFU will help you choose a student who will be a good fit for your household, and become part of your family for the year. You will get to have a new family member who you will be in contact with for years to come! YFU host families develop a very close bond with their exchange student, and it’s a great chance to make a lifelong connection with someone from another part of the world.

2. A chance to develop language skills

YFU has organizations in over 50 countries, so exchange students come from many different languages and cultures. If someone in your family knows or is learning a foreign language, it may even be possible for you to host an exchange student who is a native speaker of that language! Not only does it give you a chance to practice your language skills, but it also helps the student to settle in and feel at home much quicker.

3. Learn about global acceptance and tolerance

Whether you speak their language or not, having a young person from another culture living with you is an experience that everyone in your family will benefit from. The world is full of different cultures and values, and learning tolerance and open-mindedness is a great asset for people of any age to have. Becoming a YFU host family is a fantastic opportunity for your whole family to learn about accepting differences and understanding another person’s values.

4. Share your own culture

At YFU, we like our students to fully immerse themselves in the language and culture of their host country, and we encourage that our families assist with this. Exchange students will want to learn all they can about your country, and you can share that with them—whether it’s teaching them to cook your country’s traditional food, showing them the sights, or teaching them about your national holidays. You will play a very special role in teaching them about your country, and you will also gain a new insight into your culture and surroundings through the eyes of a foreigner.

5. Make the world your home!

This is YFU ‘s motto for a reason—by becoming a YFU host family, you get to explore the world without ever leaving your home country! Living with an exchange student gives you an insight into their culture, traditions, language and way of life. It’s a unique opportunity to gain a better understanding of the world, and make new connections with another country. And don’t forget—you’ll have an excuse to go visit them in their home country in the years to come!


So what are you waiting for? Embrace the opportunity to get to know the world, and become a YFU host family today! Most exchange students will arrive in mid-August, and stay until the end of June next year. They will be aged between 15-18 and could be from any number of countries around the world.

YFU accepts all kinds of families: children or no children, same-sex couples, and single parents/adults. As long as you’re willing to welcome a student into your home and your family, you are eligible to apply and have the year of a lifetime with your exchange student! For more information, check out yfu.org to find your home country’s organization.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Students at a YFU seminar from Germany, Thailand, Argentina, Estonia and Bulgaria!

Every year on March 21, the world joins together to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day in 1960, police in the town of Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people peacefully demonstrating against the apartheid "pass laws". In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly created the day of commemoration, and called upon the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Youth For Understanding was originally formed as a way to promote global understanding and acceptance amongst young people. In 1951, 75 German teenagers travelled to the United States to live with American families in an effort to heal the wounds of WWII. YFU founder, Dr. Rachel Anderson, soon came to realize that through sending teenagers to live and study abroad they could build bridges between nations, and that this was exactly what the world needed.

Today, YFU’s mission is to help students to gain the skills they need to become global citizens. Going on a student exchange opens up a whole world of opportunities, and YFU students will be equipped with the perspectives necessary to face challenges in our global community. Most importantly, YFU exchanges promote acceptance and tolerance between nations and communities and aims at eliminating racial discrimination in our multicultural society.

You can read more about the background of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination here. We at YFU Bulgaria encourage you to think about what you can do to fight racism in your local community, and join us in striving for a world without racial discrimination as you commemorate today.

Baba Marta

Martenitsi in a blossoming tree (source)

In Bulgaria, the coming of Spring is a very important event. Every year on March 1st, the country celebrates Баба Марта (Baba Marta, or Grandma March in English). In Bulgarian folklore, Baba Marta is a grumpy old woman whose mood can change rapidly, and this is the cause of the changeable March weather.

On March 1st and throughout the month, Bulgarians give each other martenitsi, which are red and white threads woven together usually in the form of a wristband. The martenitsi are exchanged in order to wish great health, good luck, and happiness to your family and friends.

The most traditional martenitsi have two small dolls made from wool, called Pizho and Penda. However, there are many different types you can make and buy, and it is common to see street sellers everywhere in the lead up to March 1st!

Martenitsi are usually worn around your wrist or pinned to your clothes. When you see the a stork, or a tree in blossom for the first time that season, you take off your martenitsa and tie it onto a tree for good luck in the coming Spring!

One of our exchange students from Thailand wrote about experiencing her first Baba Marta:

It’s me again, Thanatcha!

On the 1st of March at breakfast time, I received two martenitsi from my host mom and my host sister. I was very excited about it. Unfortunately it was a Saturday, so I didn’t have a chance to see my friends. We went to visit our relatives and I got some more martenitsi!

Later when I went to school, there were several friends who gave me martenitsi and it really pleased me. I consider it an action that shows our feelings for the ones we love. Some of them asked me to make a wish while they were putting martenitsi on my wrist. May Baba Marta bless us all!

Making your own martenitsa is fairly easy, and all you need is some red and white wool! Here is a great tutorial if you want to try it at home.

Don't forget to wish the recipients health, luck and happiness when you give them away!

Too Old for a Student Exchange? Try a YFU Gap Year Program

Did you go on a student exchange in secondary school, and want to go back already? Maybe you always wanted to go on exchange and now you regret not doing it while you had the chance? Don’t worry, because there are other options!

Several YFU countries offer a ‘gap year’ or post-secondary school program, where you can travel overseas to volunteer when you’re over the age of 18. In many Western countries, students will take a year off between finishing secondary school and starting university, or a year off after finishing university, and often use this as an opportunity to work and travel. Many volunteer programs will also be great experience for future job or university applications.

If you want to travel but are too old for a student exchange program, we have a few ideas for you!

Table Mountain from the Cape Town waterfront (source)

South Africa

South Africa have a need for volunteers in many community projects, and YFU South Africa collaborate with various not-for-profit organizations around the country, who are dependent on volunteer commitments to be able to complete their work.

The different programs include projects such as animal care, working in community centers assisting with orphaned children or people affected by HIV, or working in biodiversity and conservation. These projects will provide you with a great foundation to start a career in teaching, working with young people or working on community development.

To participate in any of the volunteer projects, you need to speak fluent English, and in some cases be prepared to learn an indigenous language (usually Afrikaans), depending on the region where you work. The program cost covers medical and travel insurance, orientations with YFU, and all meals and accommodation. You will need to cover the cost of your flights to and from South Africa.

For project profiles and more information, click here. If you are interested in participating, contact the local YFU organization in your home country!

Thippasandra Main Rd, Indira Nagar (source)

India

YFU India is offering an opportunity to live in northern India for nine months as a teacher. You will be placed in a private school and provided with accommodation, board and a small monthly stipend. While there, you will teach for four hours a day, five days a week (including Saturday).

The candidates for teaching positions must be fluent in English, experienced in working with high school students, and able to teach French, German or Spanish at a beginner’s level, and able to teach arts (such as photography, theatre, or music).

You will be required to pay for your own travel insurance. For more information, click here or contact inbound@yfuindia.org.


These are not the only gap year programs available—many YFU countries offer short- and long-term volunteer programs, and we suggest you check out countries you are interested in through yfu.org. For more information, you can also contact the YFU organization in your home country!