On Saturday, 6 June 2026, a pleasant sharing and reflective meeting for former, current, and future host families took place in Ostrava. We gathered in the garden of our colleague, volunteer, and experienced host mum Katka Rubišarová, who kindly hosted the event.

At the end of the school year, YFU host families and international students in the Czech Republic met in Tábor to look back on the past few months, share their experiences and enjoy a day full of discovery, friendship and inspiring encounters.

Make the World Your Home

Homesharing with Youth For Understanding (YFU) is not about renting out a room or providing short-term accommodation for an international student. It is about sharing your life, your home, and your everyday routines.

By opening your home, you do not gain a “guest” — you welcome a new family member. At the same time, your own world expands far beyond the borders of your country.

Last Sunday, we came together in Kutná Hora for a day of exploration and sharing. We met in Sedlec, where eighteen participants gathered in a wonderfully diverse group. International students, their host families, siblings, grandparents and even four-legged friends all joined us. Ages ranged from our youngest five-year-old participant to a host grandmother. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the day together.

On Sunday, March 15, we organized another meeting of host families and their students from various countries, which our volunteers traditionally attend as well. For the contact persons of families and students, it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet in person.

The Mid-Year Orientation wasn’t just about rest, but mainly about sharing, new beginnings, and emotional goodbyes. In Luky nad Jihlavou, inbound students gathered—those currently experiencing their exchange year in the Czech Republic. Some were halfway through, others just at the very beginning, and one was already nearing the end. Three days full of workshops, laughter, honest conversations, and strong emotions once again showed how unique the bonds formed during an exchange can be.

The Advent season is the perfect time to meet, connect and share experiences, which is why we are getting together in Prague and Olomouc to enjoy the festive atmosphere together.

Last weekend, we held our traditional Advent trip, 
which this year welcomed seven inbound students 
currently spending their exchange year 
in the Czech Republic. It turned out to be a 
weekend full of first-time experiences, 
new friendships,  and a magical Christmas 
atmosphere stretching from Prague all the way 
to the Vienna markets. 

After the arrival and adjustment period of the exchange students, we organize an annual gathering of host families — an ideal opportunity to share new experiences, expectations, and plans for the future. This year, we decided to host our autumn gatherings in two locations — Prague and Ostrava — so that every family could choose the one most convenient for them. Both cities offered a friendly atmosphere that encouraged open sharing and strengthened the sense of community among families. Shared experiences and meeting new faces created beautiful memories for everyone to take home.