News of Norway, issue 9, 1995
Marthe Henne Christiansen, 17, gave a speech about her expectations and how she adjusted to life in the United States. Rodney Moore, 24, a native Washingtonian who spent a summer in Norway on a YFU exchange, spoke on behalf of the many Americans who have been to Norway. His speech emphasized the importance of international youth exchange.
Founded in 1951, Youth for Understanding is a private non-profit educational organization dedicated to cross-cultural understanding. More than 175,000 young people, from 50 nations in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and the Pacific, have participated in the exchanges. The international organization's Norwegian affiliate, YFU-Norway, was founded in 1967. The royal visit took place at YFU's international headquarters in Washington. The YFU's US headquarters and regional office are located on the same premises as well. The international section is comprised of the president's office, the financial office, the international secretariat and the public affairs and development office.
Only in the United States, there are 140 full-time employees in ten regional offices. In addition, more than 2,000 volunteers play a very important part in the organizational structure. They have the day-to-day contact with the exchange students. YFU welcomes 3500 students to the United States each year. Youth for Understanding receives financial support from the government as well as from the United States Infor-mation Agency. The host families, however, receive no financial compensation for their hospitality, but the students bring with them their own pocket money. The majority of American students attending these programs abroad obtain some form of financial aid or scholarship.