International Group Leaders (IGLs)
Travel with the students and lead them through reflection sessions as their main point of contact
As an International Group Leader (IGL) you will help the students prepare for their return home, provide them with first nudges to processing their exchange experience, and introduce them to the world of volunteering for YFU. You will be the first person they come to in case they experience struggles and you are there to ensure their well-being both during their travels to the YES as well as during the seminar itself.
About your role
You will be traveling with the inbound exchange students from your home country to the YES and from the YES you will return with your national group (outbounds) back home. Thus, you are the bridge for students between their host and home countries. During the seminar, you will work with students in sessions and reflection groups to make sure that they benefit as much as possible from their time at the YES. For these sessions, you will receive a pre-made template (the IGL manual), which will offer you guidance and support, and online training on how to deliver them. You are also encouraged to assist the students with connecting the general theme of the YES 2026 to your sessions, to provide them with ideas and tools on how to implement the learnings from the seminar to their life back home. If you’ve already taken part in re-entry or post-exchange seminars in your home organization, much of this will feel familiar and you’ll likely find stepping into the IGL role quite comfortable.
Apart from your main tasks, you and your fellow IGLs will also provide support for the rest of the team where it is needed. Be it assisting with educational sessions, organizing free time activities, or lending a hand in logistical tasks. This is an opportunity to work together with volunteers from other teams and make even more new international friends.
If the IGL role sounds intriguing and fun to you, we will be happy to have you help us make the YES 2026 come together and enjoy your time with YFU people from all around the world!
Your tasks
In addition to the general volunteer requirements at the YES, an IGL should:
have experience or training in facilitating sessions and leading groups
be willing and able to provide students with guidance or help during travels and on site
have flexibility and endurance to act in new, changing or possibly stressful situations
have the ability to follow, and in a kind manner enforce, common rules and guidelines on site to ensure safety
be prepared to participate in a variety of volunteer tasks, in addition to working with your students (e.g. doing house watch in the evening, assisting at the cafeteria so that the queueing goes smoothly, leading free time activities or helping out at the YES lounge)
be prepared to allocate time before the YES to study the IGL manual (your guidebook with all the necessary information) and to prepare for sessions
be able to commit to participating in online meetings and trainings before the YES
understand the purpose, values and importance of exchange programs that YFU is offering
Please note that completing the Volunteer Feedback Form after YES 2026 is a requirement for every volunteer role. Your feedback helps us improve and create an even better experience next year.