The AFS Exchange Season Five

In the Season 5 finale of The AFS Exchange, we tackle the reality of exchange head-on: the moments of challenge that define true growth. Hear firsthand stories from former AFS students who successfully navigated difficult situations, including communication barriers, integrating into school life, and coping with loss.

Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support and Learning Team join us to pull back the curtain on the support system AFS provides. They share insights and actionable guidance on how you can access help, stay grounded, and transform crises into personal milestones. Whether you’re a student needing strategies, a host family looking for guidance, or a volunteer, you’ll find essential tools to manage and grow through the ups and downs of your AFS journey.

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At AFS-USA, volunteers make our mission possible. Through their dedication and hard work, families and communities around the world experience the life-changing impact of intercultural exchange. Each year, the AFS-USA Volunteer Awards honor those who embody this spirit of service and commitment.

This year’s recipients are:

• Young Volunteer Award: Carly Armstrong, World Flags Area Team
• Emerging Leader Award: Ally Parrill, Dallas Area Team
• Peggy and Art Howe Award: The Wells Family – Lance, Stephanie, and Delia, Columbia Pacific Area Team
• Mission Award: Jody Axinn, Capital Area Team
• Galatti Award: Karen Small, Midland Central Area Team
• Dream Team Award: Capital Area Team

Hear directly from our recipients! In this special podcast episode, members of the AFS-USA Volunteer Recognition Committee interview each awardee about their journey, experiences, and what volunteering means to them.

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If the excitement of arrival is starting to fade and everyday life feels a little harder, this episode is for you. Hear real advice from last year’s AFS students on making friends, setting realistic goals, and handling challenges like school, homesickness, and family dynamics. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support & Learning Team share their insights and actionable guidance to help you thrive during this phase of your exchange. Whether you’re a student, host family, or volunteer, you’ll find helpful strategies to stay grounded and grow through the ups and downs of your AFS journey.

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Can you really form a strong bond with an exchange student in just a few months? Sarah and Mikayla Engel-Streicher, a couple from Wisconsin, would say yes. They’ve welcomed three students into their home for a single semester each, proving you don’t need a full year to bring the world home. We’ll hear how their short-term experience connected them more to their local community and how those relationships with their students from Austria, Germany, and Belgium are still going strong years later. You’ll also hear directly from two of their students, who share what that time in Wisconsin meant to them.

Their story shows that you can get the full impact of AFS even if you only host for a few months. We are always looking for both semester families and Welcome Families, who bring students in at the very beginning of their program. We hope this story encourages you to get involved!

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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jenny Kissinger Messner, an AFS alumna who believes that our mission is more important now than ever. Her journey from student to major donor shows the lifelong impact of student exchange. We’ll hear about her transformative year abroad in Brazil in 1970, how that experience shaped her life and family, and why she is so passionate about supporting the next generation of global citizens.

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Follow along with Michael, a first-time host dad, as he recounts his year hosting an exchange student from Germany. From the initial decision to host and the anticipation leading up to his student’s arrival, to how Michael’s daily routine shifted, you’ll hear how opening his home led him to become much more involved in his local New Jersey community and learning more about himself.

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In July 2023, eleven strangers met for the first time in an airport hotel lobby outside JFK. Just three weeks later, they had lived a lifetime of adventures. Tune in to the latest episode of The AFS Exchange to follow their journey through Kenya on a Global Prep program focused on wildlife conservation and Maasai culture. Along the way, they faced challenges, made unforgettable memories, and built deep, lasting friendships.

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Studying abroad is an incredible adventure, but it can sometimes feel a little isolating. So, how do you actually find your community when you’re miles from home? This month, we explore various ways AFSers have connected beyond the classroom.

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Join us as we talk with historian Thomas Fife and get a glimpse into the lives of four volunteer drivers, uncovering some truly unexpected connections and poignant moments.

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This episode recounts the story of the American Field Service, where young American volunteers courageously served as ambulance drivers, years before the US even officially entered the war.

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This season kicks off with stories of self-discovery through American school activities. From coast to coast, these students embrace new challenges, build skills, and form lasting relationships. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of international exchange.

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