Frequently Asked Questions

I'm thinking about going on exchange. How do I talk to my parents about it?
YFU recommends that you have a conversation with your parents about going on exchange prior to contacting YFU. Try to ask yourself questions like why do I want to do on exchange? What do I want to achieve? Where do I want to go? These types of questions may help you define your motivation and reasons for going abroad.

Decide on an appropriate time (for example a family meeting or over dinner) when you can present your thoughts about going on exchange, and discuss with your family whether this is the right decision for you. Take some time to look at YFU’s website for more information about the organization, our programs and scholarships.

Where can I go?
YFU has partner offices in over 50 countries worldwide. Any of these countries are available for students. For a list of countries, look at the Countries and Prices page.

What are the chances that I will go to my first choice of countries?
Program availability depends on the number of spots YFU Canada is allocated each year, and the number of applicants that we have. After you have been interviewed, it normally takes two weeks before you hear from us. If you do get accepted, your place in the program is pending until we have received your complete registration package, including transcripts and health forms.
You may also be competing for a spot with other applicants, and the slots will be assigned on a first-come-first-basis to students that meet our application criteria and pass the admission interview.

What can I do to improve my chances of getting accepted?   

1)    Transcripts showing a minimum 70 percent average over the past two years.
2)    Apply early. Slots are allocated on a first-come-first basis.
3)    Consider why you wish to go on exchange. We look at your motivation, personality traits and goals in the admission interview.

How much does it cost?
The cost of a YFU exchange is dependent on the length and location. You can get prices from looking at the Countries and Prices page, or by contacting YFU directly. In addition to the tuition, students are required to bring their own spending money for extra things, such as clothing and school supplies. 

I don’t have much money. Is financial assistance available?
YFU Canada offers several grants of up to $2,000 per student. Some students also fundraise all of some of the money for their exchange through sponsorships from local businesses or corporations, bake sales, car washes, etc. Get creative!

YFU Canada offers fundraising material and assistance upon request.

When should I apply? 
YFU Canada recommends that you apply at least six months in advance. The earlier you apply, the more likely you will be to get your first country choice, and it also leaves more time to prepare for the exchange. Depending on where you go, the visa and placement processes may take a long time, as well as filling out all the registration papers.

You start the application process by submitting an interest form, which can be requested through a contact submission form at www.yfu.ca. You can also email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information about how to apply.

Once we receive your interest form, we schedule a time for an admission interview. If you are accepted, a registration package will be mailed to you with all the necessary forms.

Can I request to go to a certain city or area?
YFU in your host country will match you with a host family that they believe is suitable for you, and we cannot accommodate requests for certain cities or regions. Keep in mind that our host families are usually spread all over the country, and that any town, place or city that you end up in will be a unique and interesting experience in itself.

What is included in the program fees?
•    Round-trip airfare from Toronto (student pays fare difference for other departure points)
•    Pick up and transfer in your host country
•    Comprehensive travel insurance
•    School placement
•    Orientations throughout the exchange year, including domestic transportation.
•    Pre-departure material and student guide
•    Your stay with a carefully selected host family
•    24/7 emergency support in your host country
•    Support from your own YFU area representative
•    Support and assistance from the national office in Canada
•    Mentorship with a YFU alumni (upon request)

When are the program fees due?
A $950 deposit is due once you submit your registration package. The second payment is half of the remaining total (differing by country and term of exchange), and is due 100 days before your departure. The third and final payment is due a minimum of 60 days prior to departure.

I am over 18 and/or already graduated, can I still participate?
Applicants cannot be older than 18 at the time of departure. You may have graduated, but you will face limitations in terms of which countries you can apply to. Certain programs will only take students that are still enrolled in high school in their home country.

That being said, many YFU students successfully go on exchange after their grade 12 year.  Please contact YFU for more information about how to apply as a mature student.

What kind of grades do I need?
You will need a minimum 70 percent average over the past two years to apply. Certain countries, such as Japan, require a minimum of 80 percent.

Do I have to know the language in the country I am going to?
Most of our destinations do not have a language requirement, but a select few require that you take a course prior to arrival, or have taken the language as a subject in school. Please check out yfu.ca for further specifications, or contact YFU Canada at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

I have a learning disorder. Can I still go on exchange?
If you have a learning disorder, please notify YFU as soon as possible. We will have to discuss your situation with the host country as early as possible in the application process to ensure that the school, host family and staff will be able to provide the support needed. Additional documentation from your teachers and/or doctors may also be required.

For any other health problems, please notify YFU to discuss your situation.

When is the application deadline?
While there is no set deadline, we do encourage students to apply six to eighteen months prior to departure in order to ensure full preparation before you leave. For a complete list of countries and departure times, please check out our website www.yfu.ca, or our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/yfucanada

I have dietary restrictions. Can my desired host country accommodate me?
When you fill out your registration package, you will be able to notify YFU of any allergies and dietary restrictions. However, it is very important that you are as detailed as possible in your description/diagnosis, and that you only write down what is crucial to your wellbeing and health. Many host families will hesitate to host a student whose dietary restrictions will be difficult to accommodate in the host family’s culture (for example, an allergy to rice or seafood may be challenging in Japan!).

Also keep in mind that an open mind and attitude towards trying new things is important in order to succeed as an exchange student. You will most likely not have access to the same food items and products as you do at home. Think of this as an exciting opportunity to try new things rather than a limitation.

Preparing to Depart

When do I find out my departure date?
Once you have applied to a specific program, YFU Canada can give you an approximate departure and return date. However, your exact departure date will not be confirmed by your host country until about two months prior to departure.

Where will I depart from?
Your flight is included in the program price, and YFU will book your ticket. Our program fees are based on Toronto as the point of departure, but we can book your ticket from any other city in Canada (please note that you will have to pay the fare difference, if any).

How will study at school if I don't know the language?
Attending school full-time in your host country is the fastest way to learn a new language. You will be immersed in the language, the culture and make new friends. It will be very confusing at times and you have to learn to lower your expectations of yourself academically in the beginning, but it all gets much easier after a little while. Learn to practice patience, use body language and enjoy observing your new host culture. You will be surprised by how far a smile can take you!
When you return to your home country, most full-year students have become close to fluent in their second language.

Will I be living in a big city or a small town?
In the admission interview, a YFU representative we will ask you what kind of community you would prefer to be placed in (e.g. rural, or a city). However, no guarantees will be made, and we encourage students to keep an open mind.

When do I find out about my host family?
The placement process in your host country will start once you have submitted your completed registration form. The length of this process varies greatly from country to country, depending on the number of volunteers and applicants. Not having a host family until a couple of weeks before departure is not unusual, and does not mean that there is no a family for you. However, the process takes time, and we ask students and parents to please be patient.

Can my parents/friends come to visit me?
YFU does not recommend, and rarely allows, visits from parents and friends. There are many reasons for this, and although a visit sounds completely harmless and very nice, it can serve as a disruption to the exchange experience and the takes the focus away from your life in the host country.

If you do want your parents or friends to visit you, YFU recommends that they come at the very end of your exchange. Regardless, you will have to apply for permission from YFU prior to their arrival. Visits from parents and/or friends that have not been permitted by YFU may result in an involuntary early return.

Can I get credits for the courses I take abroad?
YFU cannot assist in the transferring or approval or courses and credits. However, most schools are willing to work with you to plan your exchange and the transition back to your high school. Please arrange a meeting with your guidance counselor prior to departure to discuss your situation, as well as a follow-up meeting when you come back. You may be asked by your school to choose certain courses while you are abroad if possible, or to provide course descriptions and transcripts.

How much luggage can I take?
For baggage restrictions, please refer to the airline’s website or customer service. YFU Canada is not responsible for providing up-to-date information about the rules and regulations of your flight.

What happens when I get there?
Upon arrival in your host country, your host family and/or YFU staff will meet you at the airport. In most cases you will attend an arrival orientation shortly after your arrival. More information about this can be found in your host country’s welcome letter, which is distributed to all students closer to departure.

When should I apply for a passport?
Prior to going on exchange, it is crucial that you have a passport that is valid for the next two years – minimum. You also need your passport to apply for a visa, so please start the application process as soon as possible. Check with your local passport office for the procedures in your province.

Will I need a visa?
Most countries do require that you apply for a visa prior to arrival. YFU Canada will provide the official documents you need for your application, but the student is responsible for contacting the consulate for updated instructions, and for filing the application on time. You cannot, however, apply for your visa until we receive and forward you the necessary documentation from your host country.

I know a family that I can stay with in my host country. Can they host me?
Yes, if you already know a family that you would like to stay with, please notify YFU Canada and we can arrange for a so-called “direct placement.” The family can then apply to become a host family for you through the YFU office in the host country, but will still have to go through the host family interview, police checks, etc.

How is the host family chosen?
Every family that wants to host through YFU has to fill out a hosting application. The family will be then be interviewed, and YFU staff and/or volunteers will visit their home. Each host family also has to provide references that are interviewed and checked by YFU, and all people living in the house over 18 years must have a police check.

It is important to note that none of YFU’s host families are paid, but do this on a voluntary basis. This helps us ensure that people have the right motivation to host, and many families have been long-time volunteers with YFU, have kids that have gone or are on exchange, or are alumni themselves.

For many, hosting is a great way to give back to one’s community, and share what they have with the rest of the world. Most families have a great respect for and interest in other countries, and value the aspects of inviting another culture into their home.

Does my family have to host a student if I go?
No. YFU does not require you to host a student, however, if your family would like to, you will receive a credit to put toward your YFU tuition.

I am insured under my family’s health plan. Do I still need to buy insurance with YFU?
You cannot opt out of the YFU insurance. It is part of the program price, and is a very comprehensive plan that has been tailored to the needs of exchange students on our program. Because of its solid and broad coverage, you do not need any additional insurance.

Will I need to get any vaccinations?
For some countries, yes. Please refer to Health Canada’s guidelines, or inquire with YFU.



Can I travel to other cities and countries while on exchange?
Any travel, both inside and outside your host country, has to be approved by the YFU office in your host country. You will have to contact them directly if you plan to do any traveling while on exchange, and you will need both your host parents and natural parents’ permission. Under no circumstances are YFU students to travel by themselves while on the program.

Can I come home for the holidays?
No, exchange students cannot travel to their home country while on exchange, unless in the case of an emergency.

How do I do my banking while abroad? How much spending money should I bring?
The amount of spending money varies from country to country. Generally, YFU recommends between $100-200 per month. Some students choose to open a checking account in their host country, and have their parents do a wire transfer every few months. Keep in mind that international transfers can be expensive, so it is better to transfer large amounts at a time. Some banks also offer VISA debit cards that make it easier to withdraw money and purchase items abroad, and many ATMs abroad accept Canadian debit cards.

You pre-departure orientation information package contains more detailed banking info. It is recommended that you set up a meeting with your local branch prior to departure to discuss the best available options to you.

Can I work while on exchange?
No, you cannot work while you are on exchange. You will attend school full-time, and your student visa does not allow you to work. If you were to take a job while on exchange you would be considered for an early return.

What if any problems arise when I am away on exchange?
When problems or questions arise, each student has a designated YFU representative in their area that will be able to help answer their questions. Whether it is a simple inquiry, or you are experiencing any other difficulties, your area rep is your point of contact when an issue cannot be resolved or answered by your host family.

You can also contact the YFU office in your host country if you have any questions during your exchange - each national office has a 24/7 emergency contact number in case of an urgent matter. (Please contact the YFU office in your host country to resolve problems before contacting YFU Canada.) Student safety and support is YFU’s top priority, and we strive to assure that you feel confident and comfortable on your exchange.


Still have questions? Email them to YFU at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or comment on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yfucanada for a quick response from YFU staff, alumni and volunteers!