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Volunteer Testimonial

What  started  out  some  years  ago  when  we  decided  to  host  a  short  term  Japanese  student  from  one  of  the  local   schools,  has  become  an  involvement  I  would  never  have  envisaged  and  I  certainly  would  not  change  it  for  anything. Having  hosted  a  number  of  students,  we  found  YFU  and  became  a  Host  Family  for  them.  

 I  then  became  a  volunteer   support  person  for  YFU,  assistng  where  ever  needed  with  host  families  and  their  students.         In  this  role,  I  have  a  wonderful  team  of  male  and  female  volunteers,  host  families  and  related  schools  that  work  with   me  when  needed  ranging  in  age  from  18  to  85,  so  any  one  can  be a  volunteer for YFU  as  long  as  they  have  a  caring,  understanding   attitude,  are open  to  communication  and  not  expecting  payment.  We  assist  with  host  family  interviews,  student   interviews,  school  enrolment  of  exchange  students,  airport  transfers,  student  orientations  and  other  social  activities,   counselling,  emergency  hosting  if  there  is  a  crisis  or  holiday  hostings  and  helping  promote  YFU  programs  at  careers   expos  and  in  other  ways  in  the  community. The  list  is  endless.



Some  people  ask  me  frequently,  why  are  you  doing  this  especially  when  you  don’t  get  paid  for  it?   WHY,  because  I  love  it,  it  is  a  challenge,  for  the  experiences,  friendships  and  for  the  ‘kids’  future.

If  I  can  help  in  any  way  to  make  a  student’s  dream  come  true,  to  enhance  their  future,  their  career,  then  it  is  all  worth   it.

Payment  is  enough  when  I  see  their  faces  of  joy. We  have  learnt  so  much  ourselves  through  the  years  from  the  students  and their  families.  We  have  had  visits  from  our   students’  families  and  gifts  in  abundance  from  them    but  most  of  all  we  have  had  the  gift  of  having  another  son  or   daughter  in  our  home  who    have  called  us  Mum  and  Dad  and  have  stayed  in  contact  with  us  after  they  have  returned   home,  gone  to  university,    started  a  career  or  married  and  now  have  children  of  their  own  now.

A  sincere  thank  you  YFU  and  everyone  concerned  with  them,  without  them  I  know  my  life  would  have  been  totally   different.
(Chris  long  term  YFU  volunteer and  host  mother.

Get Involved!



Are you are interested in:
  • meeting new people?
  • learning about other cultures?
  • making friendships with people from other countries?

Then become involved with YFU and join the thousands of YFU volunteers and coordinators around the world who give of their time, and abilities to make our programs a success for our students and their natural and host families.

Perhaps you are an exchange returnee or a natural or host parent of an exchange student and want to help give other students the exciting opportunity of exchange. Perhaps you are a parent or teacher who would like to be involved as one of our coordinators across New Zealand.

There are many ways you can become involved in YFU in New Zealand. These include:
  • Hosting a YFU student –long or short term
  • Meeting and greeting and assisting students with check-in and transfers at airports
  • Helping at inbound and outbound student orientation days or camps
  • Interviewing student applicants for outbound programs
  • Supporting outbound students and their families before departure
  • Helping to find host families
  • Interviewing host families
  • Providing support (a sympathetic ear or a shoulder to cry on) to students and host families in your local area when needed
  • Assisting at information sessions and other student recruitment activities in your local community or local schools
  • Helping promote YFU programs through media and public relations activities
  • Being one of our co-ordinators or field officers who coordinate YFU activities in particular areas of New Zealand
When you are a volunteer with YFU you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in communication and leadership and to learn or develop skills in foreign languages as well as being part of a worldwide network of YFU families, students and volunteers

YFU reimburses volunteers for expenses involved in supporting our students and our programs. Volunteers are fully covered by YFU’s insurance while involved with YFU activities. Training is provided in all aspects of the various roles.

Join us today in promoting and supporting our international exchange programs. To learn more phone us on 0800 833 624 (free call) during office hours or complete the following volunteer enquiry form:

Volunteer Enquiry Form

Please complete all mandatory fields on this form, and a YFU representative will contact you within 24 hours of receipt.