Hosting a Student
A Message to Families in the U.S.
Many people ask what they can do to make things better for themselves, their children, their communities, and the world. By sharing your home and heart with a YES scholarship student, you will make a difference. What begins as an exchange of kindness, customs, and culture within a family extends throughout a high school and community to touch thousands of lives.
Sharing and learning happen naturally—in conversations at the dinner table, excitement about the prom or a sports team’s victory, sharing a family tradition, or making a presentation in the community.
“Thank you for every moment that you’ve given to me, every thought that has broadened my horizon, every example about life for me to follow, every criticism that made me think, every compliment that made me feel good, every advice that made be a better person, everything that you’ve given to me all this time.” —Syarief, student from Indonesia, Hosted in Illinois by Jack and Bev Cherney
“When we receive a message like this, we know that, in our own small way, we are helping to create peace in the world.” —Bev Cherney, eight time Host parent
Hosting is a rich and rewarding experience for all kinds of families and all kinds of families are needed to host! Families provide a bed, meals, and the guidance and support that they would to their own child.
Contributing to Community and Classrooms
In order to live and work in a global society, young people must embrace other ways of living in order to help them build intercultural skills and knowledge. Most US high school students do not have an opportunity to study abroad. YES students provide a dynamic and creative learning opportunity to US classrooms by bringing alternative perspectives to the study of world affairs and current events. At the same time, these students gain an understanding of American values and explore our models of leadership.
The YES program focuses on leadership development and works with these students during the school year to help them develop their leadership skills. When students return home, they draw upon their US experience and share their knowledge and memories in ways that help to increase intercultural awareness while dispelling myths and stereotypes that often exist about the U.S.
Read more from our YES host families, students and alumni!>>Say “YES” and bring more understanding into the world, beginning with your own family and community! Learn more about hosting!
