Pros
zero. nothing. zilch. nope. none
Cons
I haven't figured out yet how they haven't been sued. Until there is no longer a YFU USA I will tell anyone who will listen to never work here and to NEVER host a student through this organization. I feel sorry for the students who do the programs. They pay SO much and therefore expect exceptional service but they aren't give it. You know why, because they are expecting it from FULL TIME STAFF who make $9-$13 an hour but are expected to work quite literally 24/7. Working there means working weekends, nights, holidays, 12 hours in office and then conference calls at home. "Work/Life Balance" is a concept no one at YFU has ever heard of. The older staff live and breath YFU and except all the new staff to do so as well. I had two co-workers who were promised contracts in September and as of January are still waiting for them. Yet, they're both still expected to do the role of Field Director but for a temp salary. FD salary is only 40k a year (which is truly laughable). Temp salary? Less than 20k a year. It's insulting and unethical. If you are even considering working for YFU don't do it. I know that you are smarter than YFU. Anyone is smarter than YFU and EVERYONE deserves better than that place. It's condescending, passive aggressive, manipulative and degrading. Most people complain about their former employers and so people who read these posts and are considering positions will think "oh, they just had a bad experience". No. Think about this. Between December 2013 and December 2014 my office had 6 full time staff quit. The office only has 9 full time staff members... This isn't a one time/one person thing. This is a collective inexcusable issue and YFU USA has no intentions of fixing it so do yourself a favor and stop considering a position here. You will be happier and able to pay your rent.