IFYE participants report their experience abroad was life changing. As they participated in daily life of another culture they developed cross-cultural communication skills, awareness, and understanding. They improved their second language and speaking skills. They gained personal connections and life long friends among their host families as well as other IFYE representatives and leaders.
In keeping with the IFYE goal of Peace Through Understanding, while abroad IFYE representatives share their experiences back home via news stories in papers and magazines as well as letters and social media. After returning home they seek opportunities to make presentations as widely as possible including youth groups, civic clubs, church groups, farm organizations...
In addition to opportunities for IFYE representatives to experience life with families in another culture, there are also opportunities for USA families to host foreign inbound IFYE representatives. The average host family stay is 3-4 weeks.
The IFYE program is sponsored by the IFYE Association of the USA, Inc., an organization of IFYE alumni who are committed to offering this opportunity to others. For more information, go to www.ifyeusa.org and click on the "Publications" tab; or contact Richard Wagner, President; rgwagner@juno.com or 309-473-2308.