Volunteer Experiences from The AFS Exchange

AFS volunteers are the heart and soul of the organization. In this special collection of podcast episodes from The AFS Exchange, we spotlight the voices of those who give their time, energy, and compassion to make global exchange possible.

Hear how volunteers across the U.S. and around the world are promoting cross-cultural understanding and mentoring future leaders in their communities. Whether you’re a longtime volunteer or just thinking about getting involved, these stories offer inspiration, connection, and a glimpse into the incredible impact of saying “yes” to AFS.

Volunteer with AFS-USA The AFS Exchange Podcast

Cheerleader, Coach, and Confidant: The Role of a Liaison

In this episode, we’re joined by an experienced AFS-USA volunteer, Kayla Resnick. Kayla has been a liaison for many years and shares what it’s like to be an emotional cheerleader for students, how she navigates late-night logistics, and why the local volunteer network is a liaison’s greatest support system. She explains why this role is vital for student success, and how being the “steady hand” on the sidelines is key to a fulfilling program.

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Decades of Boats, Buses, and Boarding Passes

In this episode, we’re exploring the evolution of the Travel Volunteer role, starting nearly 75 years ago. We begin with a journey through the history of AFS student travel- from 1950s ocean liners and cross-country bus trips to the smartphones and streamlined arrival journeys of today.

Then, we’re joined by two expert Travel Volunteers, Fevzi Caglarsu and Tyler Henry, from the National Council Travel Advisory Group. They share what it’s actually like to be the “first face” a student sees in the U.S., how they navigate the unexpected with creative flexibility, and why this high-energy, fast-paced role is one of the most rewarding ways to support the AFS mission.

We’ll hear about Alessandro’s journey from an exchange student in the fjords of Norway to his current role as a Chapter President in Sicily. This conversation is a reminder that whether you are in Palermo or Pasadena, the goals, the struggles, and the mission of building a more peaceful world remain the same.

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A Lifelong AFSer

In this episode, we chat with Kim from Wisconsin. Kim has been a host sibling, host parent, study abroad participant, and sending parent. Kim shares tips for host parents and discusses how she brings intercultural education into the preschool classroom. We also hear from a volunteer with AFS Brazil about the history of the Portuguese language in Brazil.

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Connecting Communities, Changing Lives: Inside the 2024 AFS-USA Summit

Join me at the 2024 AFS-USA Summit in Dallas, Texas- a weekend packed with connection, inspiration, and a few unexpected surprises. This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, Changing Lives, brought together volunteers, host families, and staff from across the country to share ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and recharge around the AFS mission.

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Tips from a Young Activist and AFS-USA Volunteer

Katherine, a young AFS-USA volunteer from California, is deeply passionate about activism. In 2023, she engaged in AFS-USA’s Youth Ambassador Sustainability Project, a 7-week online leadership course for emerging leaders. During this program, she established a partnership with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. Katherine shares practical advice for aspiring changemakers eager to embark on their own journey toward effecting change.

In this episode, we delve into global perspectives and explore Taiwan. Katherine also took part in the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program in Taipei during the summer of 2023. This experience intensified her commitment to driving change. She emphasizes the significance of international collaboration in achieving sustainability, advocating for mutual understanding, acceptance of differences, and embracing diverse perspectives.

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Thank You, AFS-USA Volunteers!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month at AFS-USA, and we’re thrilled to present a special bonus episode dedicated to expressing our gratitude to our incredible AFS volunteers! They truly are the heart of our organization. In this episode, AFS-USA staff have shared heartfelt voice memos, offering shout outs to individual volunteers, teams, advisory groups, and expressing general messages of thanks.

Tune in to this special bonus episode to experience the warmth and appreciation our staff has for the volunteers who make AFS’s mission a reality.

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Driving Change: The Legacy of AFS Volunteers

For this year’s AFS Founders’ Day, observed on April 7th, we delve into the remarkable origins of the organization during World War I. 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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