YFU (Youth For Understanding) – Gap Programs 2025

YFU offers the journey of a lifetime, allowing students to spend their gap year engaging in a service/internship/volunteer program abroad.

Study abroad with YFU! Live with a host family, attend a college and/or participate in volunteer programs for your gap year. It is the perfect adventure for a young adult ready to make a difference in today’s world. Some programs are offered to students up to the age of 22.

Each year, more than 4,500 students and families participate in programs around the world, with YFU USA receiving more than 2,000 international students and sending over 500 American students abroad.

Explore YFU’s Gap Programs:

High School “13th Year” Programs: 13th Year programs allow students to participate in YFU’s traditional Academic or Special Focus programs for a year or semester after they have graduated high school, immersing themselves in the culture of their host country and make new friends while attending classes at a local high school.

13th Year Programs are available in the following countries:

Volunteer Abroad Programs: These programs offer the perfect adventure for young adults who are specifically looking for learning opportunities abroad and are ready to make a difference in today’s world. Students can choose from a variety of volunteer fields and expect the support and guidance of both the YFU office and a local NGO.

Volunteer Programs are available in the following countries:

Argentina | India | Paraguay | South Africa | Thailand

University Programs: Begin or continue your university education overseas with one of YFU’s university programs! Students can take advantage of opportunities to learn new language and experience a different culture while taking courses at a university abroad. Stay with a volunteer host family or in dormitory housing, meet and interact with students from school, and become part of the local community, while studying new and interesting subjects at the college level. Some programs allow students the opportunity to earn course credit, however credit acceptance and transfers are at the discretion of individual universities.

University Programs are available in the following countries:

Argentina |> | | Ecuador