The impact YFU and my YFU exchange had on my life.

My YFU story is less about my exchange but rather what happened later. However, without my summer exchange to France my YFU story would not possible. Twenty-two years ago on the 23rd, I stepped off a plane in Paris, France exhausted after traveling across the US and the Atlantic Ocean with a plane full of exuberant  fellow YFU students. I too was excited but that first day I was also frustrated because I didn’t understand a word of French, after two years of study. In fact, I could not even communicate with a four-year old. I wondered what had I gotten myself into.  I hoped that the next day would be better after I got some much-needed sleep. Little did I know at age seventeen that this would become core to who I am and what I do in my life. 

I spent eight amazing weeks in France with my host family who was a seasoned YFU family – I was their seventh exchange student and all three of their daughters had been YFU students to the US; the youngest to return in a couple of weeks. My host family was wonderful! I experienced a lot in eight short weeks – living in a village of 50, managing to purchase stamps on my own, exploring Paris with my host sister who lived there, camping in the Loire Valley and living on an island for five weeks. I slept in a tent at the beach and explored the island on a bicycle. It was my idea of an amazing summer – a perfect match. My host family stretched my taste buds; they encouraged me to be less shy and to forget about being perfect when speaking. In the end, I felt as though I belonged, I was a member of my French family (I disliked American tourists) and not only did I begin to actually understand what was being spoken around me but eventually I was able to talk back. I was thrilled to understand 100% of what was said my first day back in French class; my exchange was a success. 

As I said, my YFU story really began six years later when I received a newsletter about volunteering with YFU. I had just graduated from college and needed something to make my life have meaning. YFU was just what I was looking for. I was fortunate enough to be part of a field with amazing volunteer managers who embraced me at age 23 as a volunteer and gave me meaningful tasks. It was here that I began to see the whole picture of YFU and the impact a student has on a family and that it is not just about the student experience. I also began my lifelong passion for working with our American students to prepare them for this life-changing journey and connecting with them upon return to see how they have changed. I have been fortunate through Facebook to reconnect with many of the YFU alumni and volunteers I have worked with over the past 16 years. When I look at my friends on Facebook, I see students, from many years ago, that I interviewed and orientated. I see students who thought orientation was a waste of time and then returned to volunteer the next year because they saw the value, I see alumni who volunteered as interviewers and orientation facilitators, I see people I met randomly and engaged them as volunteer.  I see alumni I chaperoned an international student trip with, I see alumni I worked with to create orientations and re-entry reunion events. I see amazing alumni who I worked so hard with to bring meaningful alumni involvement to YFU. I see co-workers, I even see a student whom I hosted for two weeks and I see one of my host sisters. I see volunteers and staff who encouraged me to find my voice, leadership and my passion. I see true friends. 


YFU is an integral part of who I am and how I view and navigate the world. Without  YFU I would not be who I am today.  I thank YFU for the opportunity, my host family who made it possible and the volunteers who welcomed a young alumna into their volunteer regimes and gave me something meaningful to do. I know that I make a difference in this world. 


I invite you to make a  change not only in the world but  in your own life. Become a volunteer or host family with Youth For Understanding  You won't regret it.
www.yfu-usa.org. You too can make a difference.

RIP Taj - The Best Cat Ever

Originally posted on Facebook.


Tonight we had to put our cat, of 11 years, to sleep. In over the course of 36 hours his Taj's health deteriorated rapidly; He was having trouble breathing, he wasn't eating or drinking. A physical exam showed that his kidneys were small, his heart rate was elevated and other internal organs were enlarged. It also appeared he had lost a lot of weight recently. While we could have chosen to have him undergo several expensive tests regardless of what the ultimate determination was it would be terminal and it was only a matter of time. I have always promised myself that I would want Taj to die peacefully and without pain. We chose to bring him home with us today to spend a last few hours together -- to say goodbye and to wrap our heads around this loss.

He was truly a huge part of our family and a very unique and special cat. He was very social; so much so that we believe he picked us at the Humane Society. He'd run to the doorbell when it rang, to say hello and welcome visitors. He loved to be around people -- he even tried to tolerate little kids -- although eventually if they didn't respect him he'd be sure the tell them when enough is enough -- there have been a few scratches over the years but only to those who did not treat him properly.

He was always playful and looked to play -- even until just recently. It was hard to remember at times that he was no longer a kitten.. even though he believed he was. We also believe he thought he was a dog and often behaved as one. He would attempt to go on walks with us. He would often try to convince John or I that he hadn't already had lunch or snacks -- when indeed he had. He'd demand to be let in or out the front and back doors, even though he had his very own special cat door.

He always slept with us.. usually trying to get as close to our heads as possible. IF you wouldn't let him, he'd find someplace else and wait until you were sleeping to creep ever so slowly up to where he wanted to be. I never could understand how such a small animal could take up so much of our bed. I will miss that tonight!! When he was on the recliner and you walked past he'd reach out touch you. When he wasn't sleeping on you but close, he' reach out a paw. He just wanted to touch you.

Over the years he brought us many birds (many yelled at him too to go away), mice (that he would lose in our basement.. ugh) and even baby bunnies. He talked to us all the time and often sounded liked James and said "mom" He had a favorite blanket that if you got out with in moments he'd come running to sit in your lap and purr. He loved yogurt and no matter where he was in the house he'd be sitting waiting patiently at your feet to finish so he could lick the container.

There are just not enough words but Taj was an amazing cat, that I already miss so much. I am glad we had this afternoon and evening to spend with him and say goodbye.

What an unexpected loss on this rainy evening.

R.I. P. Taj. You have been able to go peacefully and pain free. You are in a happier place and forever in our hearts. We love you.

My last day - favorite grey blanket

So many birds, too many bells

hangin' out while mommy works

They painted this cool new room for me!

Wow, it's mid-April.. how did that happen????

Gosh, it's been forever and so much to post. I will try to catch up soon, I have so much on my mind -- what will I do differently in my 39th year -- that I kicked off with a Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery Party, what kind of parent am I and how does that affect my friendships, my involvement with PTA and now my son will be 6 with full party planning underway for "Under the Sea". I promise to post and write more soon.