Volunteer Profile
Jean McQuady, AFS Cluster Coordinator, and Fion, YES Exchange Student from Malaysia
I feel so very blessed to have been the YES coordinator for this remarkable exchange experience and encourage families and schools to get involved.
Fion from Malaysia came to the Bay Area after receiving a full scholarship through the YES Program. Right from the start, Fion was enthusiastic and eager to get involved in her new high school and community, and 
her warm smile left a piece of her heart with everyone she met. Talking about her country and culture was one of Fion’s priorities.
Fion continued to volunteer throughout her stay in the U.S. and never stopped discovering the beauty in everything around her, from the people she met to places she visited. She especially loved exploring caves and hiking on the Mist Trail in Yosemite.
Persely Family Video
This video depicts how hosting is a delightful experience. Our experience hosting YES student Ricky Kurniawan from Indonesia, began with some anxiousness, but quickly became more beautiful and unpredictable than we could imagine.
YES Student Profile: Harsh Hudda, India
When I first came here the most difficult thing to adjust to was the food. As I was used to hot and spicy food it was difficult to be satisfied with the food that was very less spicy.My host mom knew that and on the very first day of my arrival she made some spicy food for me. It was really nice of her. After that we used to make Indian food together and it became our bonding time. She loved spicy India food.
Our family would go out and try Chinese, Japanese, Mexican and other different types of cuisines every weekend. We then tried to cook them at home. Even though the foods would not turn out the same, we would have a great time. This is how I found my desperate love for cooking and eating! To continue learning about the foods around the world I have taken international foods next semester.
