Study Abroad
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Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Rhodes
In this article, Natalie Rhodes, an AFS-USA Alumna who went to Chile for one semester during her junior year of high school, responds to a series of questions about her… -
8 Career Paths for Students Who Loved Studying Abroad
Studying abroad while in high school or college is an excellent opportunity for your education and your career. It helps students plan for the future and gain invaluable skills they’ll… -
5 Ways to Continue Being a Global Citizen After Study Abroad
Nearly 16% of all college students will study abroad at some point during their degree program, and through programs like AFS-USA, some high schoolers even have the opportunity to live…
Host Family
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Meet Mikea: AFS Host Student and Global Citizen
Mikea R. is an exchange student from Albania on the YES Scholarship Program (yesprograms.org), hosted by AFS-USA in Rockford, Illinois. Below, Mikea responds to a series of questions about why… -
Hosting and Studying Abroad with AFS: Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
When you think about going abroad or hosting an exchange student, the first words that likely come to mind are “adventure” or “language”. Both language and adventure (and more!) will… -
Why Hosting Is A Rewarding Experience
This blog features interviews from the Judy family and two students hosted by Dar Fredrickson in Pennsylvania. Both interviews were first published in “Building Bridges”, the Western Pennsylvania Area Team’s…
Volunteer
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An AFS Adventure to Austria in 1968!
This article is written by AFS-USA Alumnus Dave Schrader. Dave is currently an AFS Volunteer in the Greater Los Angeles and South Bay Chapter who is greatly involved with orientation… -
My AFS Experience: Hosting, Studying Abroad, and Volunteering
My name is Tori and I’m a current AFS Volunteer, Returnee from Japan (2010), and past host sister. I’m here to share my experience with AFS for anyone who’s curious… -
Women Volunteers and Suffragettes in WWI
The early twentieth century brought forth opportunities for women beyond the home front: work, education, social reform, and political engagement. While many conservative Americans fought against this change in gender roles and believed women needed to be home, World War I served as a catalyst for volunteerism and ultimately, women’s suffrage.
Educators
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Congratulations Youth Assembly Scholarship Winners!
AFS-USA is proud to announce the five young educators who will be Daring to Reshape the World at the 27th Youth Assembly in New York City with a $2,000 scholarship. These young educators were… -
Global Educator Newsletter: September 2021
In many parts of the world, students and educators are marking the annual return to school. As educators, I suspect that prepping for and implementing the start of the school… -
Global Educator Newsletter: November 2021
November is a time when those of us in the United States take pause to remind ourselves of and express gratitude for the positive aspects of our lives. It’s also…
Alumni
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Alumni Spotlight: Natalie Rhodes
In this article, Natalie Rhodes, an AFS-USA Alumna who went to Chile for one semester during her junior year of high school, responds to a series of questions about her… -
Oliva N. reflects upon her AFS experience in Japan during COVID
It was Olivia’s dream since seventh grade to study in Japan. Looking back in her journal, she realized how much of the past five years were spent studying the language… -
In Memoriam: Guido Guidotti – AFS Alumnus, Scientist, and Professor
AFS-USA honors the legacy of returnee Guido Guidotti, Italy to U.S. 1950. Guido first came to the U.S. from Naples, Italy, as an AFS student in 1950. He attended Decatur High School in Illinois and was…
Impact Stories
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Resources to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month, also recognized as Latino or Latinx Heritage Month, is September 15 to October 15. This collection of resources can be used during the month-long celebration and be shared year-round. Articles: Elevating Hispanic and Latinx… -
AFS-USA Elects New Board Members
On behalf of the AFS-USA leadership, I am pleased to share the news that five new board members were elected at the annual AFS-USA Board meeting on June 24th, along… -
AFS-USA Elects New Board Members: Focus on Strategic Imperatives
AFS-USA, the largest partner in a worldwide network of non-profit, volunteer-based international education organizations, announces five new board members elected at its annual Board meeting on June 26th. According to…
Local Stories
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3 Commonly-Asked Questions About Hosting Exchange Students… Answered
This post was written by Michelle Kulas, a former and current AFS Host Parent. Here it is, the day that my family has been looking forward to for months! Our… -
Exchange Student Participates in Washington, D.C. Workshop
The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to share that Valencia High School junior and AFS exchange student from South Africa Michelle Hadebe participated in… -
Volunteer Recognized for Leadership, Long-Term Service
The local California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to announce that Thousand Oaks, Calif., volunteer Jennifer Lasley has been selected by the national AFS-USA Volunteer…
LGBTQ + Pride
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Your Identity Will Be Valued: My Time In Germany by Tony Valencia, AFS and CBYX Alum
“Only through dialogue and communication can differences be understood and appreciated.” – AFS and CBYX Alum, Tony Valencia ’18- ’19. In this blog post for Pride Month, Tony delves into… -
Embracing a Spanish Summer: A Reflection by AFS-USA Pride Scholar Ryan Rodriguez
Ryan Rodriguez is an AFS-USA Pride Scholar who traveled to Spain on our Global Prep program. In his personal essay, Ryan reflects on his experience abroad with his host family,… -
Hosting with Pride: An Interview with Six-Time AFS Host Parent and Volunteer, Jerry Gulley
Jerry Gulley grew up in a small town in rural Tennessee. In high school, his best friend’s family decided to host an exchange student, Lisi from Austria in 1985. While…
