Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding
Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding is a podcast by YFU USA sharing real stories from exchange students, host families, alumni, and volunteers. Each episode explores the impact of hosting, studying abroad, and volunteering through cultural exchange. Discover how global experiences build empathy, connection, and lifelong growth across borders.
Episodes
In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross speaks with Abby, a high school exchange student who studied abroad in Germany through the prestigious CBYX Scholarship Program.
Abby shares her inspiring study abroad experience, from living with a German host family and adjusting to cultural differences, to falling in love with German bread and embracing local traditions. She reflects on the contrast...
In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross welcomes guest host parents Eric and Krystle Wells to share their experiences hosting international exchange students through a high school exchange program.
They discuss their journey to becoming a host family, the importance of open communication, and the supportive role of local coordinators. From celebrating holidays and sharing meals to navigating...
In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross is joined by Lexy, a Local Coordinator and host mom, and Lara, a high school exchange student from Germany participating in the YFU cultural exchange program.
Together, they explore the emotional and transformative journey of hosting an exchange student and being one. Lara shares her experience of coming to the U.S. as an international student, adjusti...
In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross speaks with Jyarland Daniels—a YFU (Youth For Understanding) study abroad alumna, former YFU USA board member, and founder of Harriet Speaks.
Jyarland reflects on her transformative experience as a high school exchange student in Japan during the 1990s, offering a rare and powerful perspective on the long-term impact of youth ...
In this heartfelt episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross speaks with Aya, a high school exchange student from Morocco who came to the United States through the prestigious Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program.
Aya shares her vibrant journey as a YES Program exchange student, from fulfilling her dream of riding a big yellow school bus to continuing her passion for gymnastics while adapti...
In this bonus episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross speaks with Grant Hall from Challenger Sports, a leading organization known for its youth soccer camps and international coach exchange programs.
Grant shares the evolution of Challenger Sports—from its beginnings as British Soccer camps to becoming a program that now serves over 120,000 young athletes across North America. He explains how internatio...
In this inspiring episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross sits down with Margot, a U.S. high school student currently studying abroad in Germany through the prestigious CBYX (Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange) Scholarship Program.
Margot opens up about her transformative study abroad experience in Germany, from adjusting to cultural differences and building meaningful relationships with her host family,...
In the premiere episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross welcomes Carola, a high school exchange student from Estonia, who shares her unforgettable experience studying abroad in the United States through a youth exchange program.
Carola dives into the highlights of her international education journey, from her first impressions of American drive-thrus and the thrill of visiting Disney World, to the unexp...
This is Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding.
Are you curious about other cultures? Are you passionate about real people with real stories and experiences? Ever wondered what it’s like to study abroad or host an exchange student? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
Here on Life Exchanged, we’ll talk to Y-F-U host families, exchange students, Local Coordinators, Volunteers, and Alumni to hear their stories and find out what li...
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