YFU experience Ensuring quality via the “International Basics Standards”

YFU Youth For Understanding (YFU), with organizations in more than 50 different countries, runs intercultural exchange programs for secondary school students. These programmes are typically long-term (10 months), school and host family- based.

Beyond the Charter While the European Quality Charter for Mobility represents a much needed framework to operate mobility programmes, YFU defined more provisions to ensure quality in all its exchanges. In 1998 YFU adopted its “International Basic Standards”, which have been revised and adapted over the time.

A comparison Information and guidance What the Charter says: equal access to reliable sources of information and guidance clear information about the role and tasks of the sending and hosting organisations What International Basic Standards add: Pre-Dep., Post-Arr., Mid-Term and Re-Entry Orientations Host Family Orientation Counseling

A comparison Logistical support What does the Charter say: adequate logistical support should be provided to the participants (i.e. accommodation, insurance, travel arrangements, etc.) What International Basic Standards add: YFU handles all administration: insurance, liability, visa applications, travel, school enrollment, local transportation in host country, etc. Host family selection and placement procedures

A comparison Mentoring What the Charter says: The hosting organisation should provide mentoring for effective integration of participants What International Basic Standards add: Counseling available at all times by YFU volunteers. Some countries offer both a junior and a senior counselor, for student and family respectively. Counseling disconnected from school systems to avoid conflict of interest

A comparison Reintegration and evaluation What the Charter says: guidance on how to use competences and skills acquired during the stay help with reintegration into the social, educational or professional environment assess whether the aims of the learning plan have been met What YFU adds:  Ongoing programme involvement  YES and YES evaluation