Scholarship Program for American Students
Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange (FUSYE)
Come and spend seven weeks in the summer in Finland! In today’s multicultural, interconnected world, things really change fast. They only way to keep up and to compete globally is to get a global education. The Program is free for the students if accepted. As a Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange (FUSYE) scholarship recipient, you will gain knowledge, skills, and insights that will prepare you to be a world player. Every day, you will be learning something new about Finnish culture, people, art, music, literature, religion, trade, politics, and about yourself.
If living in Finland for a summer and learning about a different culture sounds like your kind of challenge, then it is time to go global as a Youth For Understanding (YFU) International Exchange FUSYE scholar. You’ll live with a host family who has volunteers to open their home and their hearts to you- providing room, board, and a caring home. Everywhere you go and everything you do in Finland, you’ll learn - from your host family, friends, and from just about everyone you meet.
In addition to the regular exchange, you will get to visit important authorities and organizations both in the USA and in Finland, such as the embassies, ministries, corporations and the Senate. Through these visits and your life with the host family you will get a unique insight into Finnish society.
FUSYE program 2012 dates:
Program in Washington: Jun 25-27
Arrival: Jun 28, 2012
Departure: Aug 11, 2012
What does the program include in Finland?
- Pre-depature program in Washington
D.C.
Students will have their YFU pre-departure orientation in
Washington for three days. In addition to discussion on regular
program information and adjustment issues etc., FUSYE scholars
get to visit the Finnish embassy in Washington and the Senate
in which they have the possibility to meet the Ambassador for
Finland and US Senators who support the program.
- Arrival orientation (compulsory, no additional
fees)
Students travel to the arrival orientation straight after their
arrival to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The orientation lasts
for three days.The arrival orientation will be held in Turku,
the ancient capital of Finland. The orientation includes
sessions about the basic principles of YFU and about the
culture, family lifeand customs in Finland and you
will also get to explore the cultural and historical sites of
Turku. You will also have a chance to try the Finnish sauna and
Finnish YFU students tell you how young Finns live their life.
In addition to getting to know all the interesting people from
around the world, you will be prepared to your stay in Finland
and of course to meet your new Finnish family - at the end of
the orientation you will meet your Finnish family for the first
time! This orientation is compulsory.
- Regional events (optional, possible additional
fees)
Volunteers, i.e. Finnish young people who have been on exchange
themselves, host families and others, will be happy to meet you
near your hometown and even though they are on summer holidays,
in some areas they might organise some nice activities.
- YFU trip to Tallinn in August, Estonia
(optional, about 100-130 euros)
Every year YFU Finland organises a trip to Tallinn, Estonia in
mid-August. You will get the chance to see the beautiful
southern neighbour of Finland. You will see different
attractions in the Old Town, explore a different Northern
capital and spend some time together with your new YFU friends
from all around the world. The trip is optional and will be
organised if there are enough participants.
- Helsinki program in mid-August (compulsory, no
additional fees)
At the end of the summer, you will be presented with a broad
view over Finnish society and Finland-US diplomatic
relations with high level officials. The FUSYE students
get to visit the Finnish parliament, the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs and the Ministry for Education. Also, you will get to
spend a day at the US Embassy in Helsinki, hearing interesting
presentations from the staff about what it means to truely
represent your country abroad. In addition, the group will
visit a Finnish top-company and also explore some main
attractions of Helsinki.
Furthermore, all YFU programs include:
- A pre-departure orientation as well as an orientation upon your arrival in Finland.
- International travel to and from Finland and assistance from YFU travel staff at international gateway airport.
- Receptions and meetings with government officials in Finland.
- Cultural and educational activities for you in Finland.
- Local and regional trips and educational activities during the summer in Finland.
- Placement with a carefully selected YFU volunteer host family in Finland.
- Professional orientations and written handbooks before, during, and after your stay.
- Support through counseling, tutoring, and other means
- 24-hour worldwide professional emergency assistance.
- Training for volunteers who provide professional, individual support for you and your host family.
- Assistance in acquiring your visa if required.
The 1-800-TEENAGE line staffed with friendly and knowledgeable admissions counselors to answer all of your questions.
You Could Be a FUSYE Scholar
If you are a high school junior, you could spend next summer as a FUSYE scholar in Finland. Scholars will be selected on their school performance, adaptability, motivation and for the FUSYE program you will also have to be motivated to come to Finland in particular. Contact YFU USA to learn more about the program.
The Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange scholarship
The broader purpose of the FUSYE scholarship is to foster a new generation of future leaders with the knowledge and desire to build bridges of mutual respect and friendship between Finland and the US and to build enthusiasm and public awareness of relations between our two nations. The Finland-US Senate Youth Exchange Scholarship has been funded by the Government of Finland since 1982. Administered by Youth For Understanding (YFU) International Exchange, the 2001 FUSYE program is contingent upon receiving final confirmation regarding scholarship funding.
Application Deadline
See YFU USA website for further information on the application procedure.
Eligibility Requirements
Prior Finnish language skills are not required to apply for the FUSYE scholarship; however, you must meet the following minimum requirements:
Junior class standing at the time your application is submitted.
Academic grade point average of 3.2 or above on a 4.0 scale over the past four semesters.
Demonstrated qualities which are essential to intercultural adjustment such as flexibility, open-mindedness, curiosity, tolerance for failure, sense of humor, adaptability, etc.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to an unfamiliar environment.
US citizen.
Further information can be found from the YFU USA FUSYE website.