Stay with members of rural youth organisations in other countries. You will live with host families and be taken out and about and get involved in some of the activities on their farms to gain a real insight into life in that country.

It is a safe and friendly way to see a country, experience its culture, and make new friends. You will need to be flexible and be prepared to take part in anything, from helping on the farm, going to meetings and events, or giving talks about YFC and life at home.

"Some people wondered why I wanted to go on a trip through Discovery and stay in somebody else’s home when I could have just booked a flight and travelled on my own. It’s a fantastic way to experience another country and the host club that you stay with takes you to the best places in the area and really looks after you while you are there. I’ve experienced this in Australia and in Scotland and really recommend you give it a go!”

Nicola Chegwidden, Cornwall

“Greetings from Norway! I have now been here for three weeks. I'm having a great time and have seen lots of amazing sights. The landscapes here are awesome all the time, even in the rain!”

Aimee Mahoney, Leicestershire & Rutland

Rural Youth Europe

Travel as part of a team of two:

Study seminar: Estonia
(Europe Under Construction: What Is The Future Of Youth Employment?).

Spring seminar: Hungary
(Bridging The Age Gap: Working Together To Develop Rural Communities).

Autumn seminar: Switzerland
(Tourism In Rural Communities).

Travel as part of a team of five to represent your country, discover new cultures and meet young people from 17 european countries:

Rural Youth Europe rally: Poland

Nordic 4H Youth Camp

(Under-18s): Sweden.
An action-packed week in a group of 20 YFC members.

Nordic 4H Youth Camp leader: There are places for one male and one female over 18 to act as leaders for the group.

C Alma Baker Trust

This is a three-month working placement on a farm in New Zealand. The C Alma Baker Trust makes the arrangements for the trip and sponsors the cost of the flight and insurance. Applicants must have a full driving licence.

If you have practical agricultural experience and you are prepared to muck in why not apply to work at Limestone Downs? The farm, on the North Island’s west coast just south of Port Waikato, is an intensive enterprise with 20,000 sheep and 1,000 beef cattle on its 7,954 acres. It continuously explores new management techniques and works closely with Massey University.

At the end of the working period you will have a month off to travel.

Discovery also arranges the hosting rota for exchange visitors coming into the UK from partner countries. Hosting is shared among county federations to enable overseas visitors to see as much of the UK as possible.

Visitors are given a brief orientation on life in the UK and what to expect from their trip. A club is nominated as host for a week, and the YFC members put together an itinerary so the visitor really gets to know the area as a guest of the club.

The club is also responsible for liaising with the next pre-arranged host and for arranging onward transport. Hosting offers you the chance to meet people from rural areas overseas and could lead to you to applying to travel yourself

Don’t worry if you think that you can’t afford to travel with Discovery. There are lots of local and national funds and trusts that may be able to help fund your trip and attendance at the international selection day. Speak to your county office or the Discovery officer for more advice, or download the sponsorship gudielines.

• Sponsorship guidelines

The Discovery 2012 trips are available to YFC members who are aged 26 or under on 1 September 2011 (except Canada 4H 18-21s where members must be 21 or under on 1 January 2012).

Further information from:

Discovery officer
NFYFC
YFC Centre
10th Street
Stoneleigh Park
Warks CV8 2LG
02476 857200