YFU Announcement:

High School Year

Youth For Understanding International Exchange
High School Year Program Exchange

Germany takes it's name from the Latin "germanus" for neighbour or brother. During your YFU exchange, you will experience Germany's diverse and stimulating culture while getting to know the people as no tourist can. Being a part of a German family will provide you with a unique understanding of gemutlichkeit (cosiness) and make Germany forever after feel like home.

History, literature, and philosophy, as well as theatre and visual arts, have flourished in Germany through the ages, and you can still enjoy the country's vibrant intellectual and artistic climate. Your greatest exposure to German life may come about without your having to spend a single Deutsch mark (German currency) since one of German's favourite pastimes is discussing topics related to culture. They delight in new ideas and insights.
You'll also have a wide variety of cultural events to attend, ranging from public festivals and sporting events to attend, ranging from public festivals and sporting events to world renowned art exhibitions, theatre performances, and concerts, most of which are state-subsidised and very popular. As many Germans enjoy reading, you will find plenty of new and second-hand book shops and public libraries. Bicycle tours, car tours, and hikes in the mountains and countryside are all popular ways of enjoying the beautiful varied landscapes of Germany.

The traditional German family is very close and places greater value on mutual respect. The present day idea of the family varies greatly from household to household. German teenagers are generally granted more liberties but must also assume greater responsibilities for their actions than is generally the case in Thailand.

Since land is expensive, extended families often share one house, so you may find yourself with a bigger host family than you might expect. Your host family will welcome you most hospitably.

As a student in Germany, you will most likely go to a gymnasium, which prepares students for entrance into the German university system. It is a very friendly and flexible system; you can choose a program from several different types, including foreign languages, math and science, or the classics. Other German students attend hauptshule or realschule which follow a general program and prepare students for a variety of practical careers.

 When you grow accustomed to attending school in Germany, you'll notice the emphasis on class participation and discussion, which determines much of your grade. Although there are fewer extracurricular activities at school, you will be able to participate in sports (soccer, tennis, basketball, and others depending on the region), the arts (theatre, music, photography, etc.), organisations (church and community education centres), and other clubs.