Story time

A Weekend in Krakow: History, New Friendships, and Unforgettable Memories

A Weekend in Krakow: History, New Friendships, and Unforgettable Memories

Hanna, a student from Japan who spent 10 months on an exchange program in the Czech Republic. In her text, she shares her experience from a YFU weekend trip to Krakow, including a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, meeting exchange students from across Europe, and personal moments full of emotions and new friendships.

 
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Hosting Families Sharing Meeting in Ostrava

Hosting Families Sharing Meeting in Ostrava

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.

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Homesharing: Gain a Family on the Other Side of the World

Homesharing: Gain a Family on the Other Side of the World

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.

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Meeting of Host Families in Brno

Meeting of Host Families in Brno

At the end of March, host families took part in a joint meeting in Brno. They were treated not only to a tour of the unique water reservoirs at Žlutý kopec, but also to a pleasant walk through the city and the opportunity to share their experiences of hosting in a friendly atmosphere.
 
 
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Spring Volunteer Seminar and General Assembly Through a First-Timer’s Eyes

Spring Volunteer Seminar and General Assembly Through a First-Timer’s Eyes

Have you ever wondered what it looks like inside our organisation? Who makes sure everything runs smoothly? That students can go abroad, have a good experience, host families keep growing, and volunteer coordination works like clockwork? I had the chance to look behind the scenes of YFU, specifically during the General Assembly, also known as the Board meeting. This is where decisions are made and voted on that affect the organisation’s day-to-day functioning, as well as a review of the past year and what could be improved in the future. This year’s Spring Volunteer Seminar and General Assembly took place during the third weekend of March in Kolín.

 

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Host Family Meeting in Prague – Museum of Senses

Host Family Meeting in Prague – Museum of Senses

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.

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MYO Seminar 2026

MYO Seminar 2026

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.

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YFU Office Meeting with the Board

YFU Office Meeting with the Board

The YFU office meeting with the board created space for an open discussion about the organization’s current development, priorities, and future direction. The afternoon in the office was complemented by an informal evening dinner, highlighting the friendly atmosphere of the whole day.

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Why Two Croatian Interns Chose Prague

Why Two Croatian Interns Chose Prague

What is it like to leave Croatia and spend two weeks working in the heart of Prague?
Melanie and Laura joined the YFU team for a short-term internship and experienced not only a new working environment, but also the culture, rhythm, and atmosphere of one of Europe’s most inspiring cities. In their article, they explain why they chose Prague, what they learned during their internship, and how this experience shaped their professional and personal growth.

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