The Light - An Alumni Publication Winter 2014/2015 | Page 2

Letter from the President
THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

Dear YFU Alumni:
Since launching the inaugural edition of The Light last autumn, we have been
astounded by the positive feedback we’ve received. It really shouldn’t be
surprising, however, given that this publication is a compilation of the wonderful
stories, experiences and reflections you share with us.
In this edition, we’re excited for you to read about:
• an alumna who overcame family objections to studying abroad and helped to disband the myth that
“people in Africa ride lions to school”;
• an alumnus, volunteer, and Chair of the External Affairs Committee on the YFU Board of Trustees, who
will summit Mt. Everest this summer as a fundraiser for YFU;
• excerpts from an alumna’s book on the experiences of living and working in Rwanda, which won the
Peace Corps’ Paul Cowan Non-Fiction Award.
Whether your time abroad stimulated an interest in international affairs, influenced your career choices,
led to new bonds of friendship or gave you a new global perspective, your YFU
experience is one that lives on. As our alumni network continues to grow, I
encourage you to get involved, and know that your YFU family is here to
share in your triumphs and to support you in your journey as a global
citizen.
In particular, I hope you’ll consider personally joining me on our new
adult study tour to Cuba. See the story on page 6 for details. Also,
join us in DC over Columbus Day weekend for our first National
Alumni Reunion.
On behalf of all of us at YFU, I hope the holidays brought you much
joy and that in this new year, you will continue to share the value of
intercultural exchanges in your day-to-day lives.

NATIONAL ALUMNI
REUNION SAVE THE DATE

Please mark your calendars to
visit Washington, DC over Columbus
Day weekend, October 10 and 11,
2015 for our first annual YFU
USA Alumni Reunion!

Happy New Year,

Michael E. Hill
President & Chief Executive Officer

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Light is published by the Office of External Affairs at YFU USA for alumni and friends of YFU USA.
Editor: John Favazzo
Assistant Editor: Jennifer Heusted-McKendree
Design Team: Melissa Logan and Cara Bahniuk
Advisors:
Charles Cadigan
Erin Helland (Germany, 1997)
Alicia Kubert-Smith

Contributors:
Sarah Coomber (Japan, 1986)
Wendy Cossman (Netherlands, 1971)
Alexandra Fleming (host parent)