YES & FLEX October 2024 Newsletter
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Article Archive
Family Forever: A Host Family’s Reunion
August from Norway reunites with his host family in the USA after 10 years.
Journey to Costa Rica: Gwen (Leonard) McNamara’s AFS Story
In this article, Gwen McNamara describes her journey to Costa Rica with AFS in 1974 and a recent reunion with her AFS family. I was 15 in November 1973 when…
How Do Our Students Get Here?
Introduction Have you ever wondered what the AFS student application and selection process entails? What makes a great candidate for intercultural exchange and how does AFS determine this? There are…
A Poem by CBYX Student, Lena Rehder
Lena R., an exchange student from Germany studying in the U.S. through the CBYX program, shared her AFS experience with us through a poem. Lina’s inspiration to write this poem…
YES & FLEX April 2024 Newsletter
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Alumni Spotlight: Abby Verrando
In this article, Abby Verrando, a California high school student in her junior year, responds to a series of questions about her experience in the AFS Youth Ambassador Sustainability Program…
Volunteer Spotlight: Sue Fershing
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we’re highlighting Sue Fershing, a longtime AFS volunteer and host parent. Here’s what she had to say about her experience with AFS-USA over the…
2023 AFS Volunteer Awards
Congratulations to the 2023 AFS Volunteer Awardees! The Galatti Award Established in 1983, the Galatti Award, bestowed in memory of Stephen Galatti, the Director General of AFS for more than…
Why Giving Time and Funding to International Education is a Priority
By Tara Hofmann, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs/USA For more than thirty years, I have worked in the U.S. and abroad to foster cultural understanding through youth exchange.…
AFS-USA Meets with DOE to Promote Exchange Programs in U.S. Schools
By Tara Hofmann, President and CEO of AFS Intercultural Programs/USA Last week, AFS-USA, along with other leaders in international student exchange, met with Deputy Assistant Secretary Bernadine Futrell who represented…
Why I Give to AFS-USA: An Interview with William (Bill) R. MacIntosh
Bill MacIntosh, an AFS-USA alumnus who participated in an exchange program to Brazil (Brasil in Portuguese) from 1964-1965, recently sat down with AFS-USA President and CEO Tara Hofmann to talk…
Nicholas Kristof’s Article and Becoming a Global Citizen
Nicholas Kristof’s recent article “The Backpack You Need Isn’t for Carrying Books”, highlights the ever-growing importance for young adults, especially, to have intercultural education and international experiences.
The American Dream of Patricia Audrey Castromayor
In this article Patricia Audrey Castromayor, a student from the Philippines, talks about her experience in the US with the ALEX program, a two week exchange organized for the students…
David and Nancy Frye Host Family Testimonial
In this testimonial, David and Nancy Frye share a bit about their experiences hosting 13 exchange students since 1999. The Frye family is currently hosting Nadhira from Indonesia. Read on to learn about how they started their most recent hosting journey, as well as the enrichment hosting has brought to their lives over the years!
The Top Eight Reasons We Wanted to Host
Hosting an exchange student is a rewarding and enriching experience for both the host family and the student. Just take it from the Hudson family, who hosted a French exchange…
Alumni Spotlight: Grace Mustafa
Grace has been an AFS exchange student (US to Germany, 2008), a volunteer, and a host sister to multiple exchange students over the years. She now works in a seasonal…
Janice Mills and an AFS 50th Year Reunion!
In this article, Janice Mills, an AFS-USA Alumna who went to Sweden with AFS in 1972, shares her experience during a 50 year reunion with her fellow AFSers! Janice was…
The Love Language of AFS
AFS programs have a magical way of bringing people together; across oceans, borders, languages, and cultures, participants often can’t help but fall in love with one another. Many AFS alumni…
2024 Youth Assembly Scholarship Winners
AFS-USA is proud to have thirteen young educators traveling to New York City on full scholarships (sponsored by BP) to attend the annual AFS Youth Assembly from August 15-18, 2024.…
School Outreach Celebrates 13 Young Educators
Thirteen young educators have earned full scholarships (sponsored by BP) to attend the annual AFS Youth Assembly in New York City from August 11-13, 2023. They will join 40…
What Teachers Do Matters. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week 2024!
We asked our AFS students to tell us about some teachers that have made a difference this year while they are studying in U.S. schools. Here’s what a few of…
AFS-USA Pride and LGBTQIA+ Resources
AFS-USA welcomes members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and actively encourages and supports their participation in all types of AFS opportunities, including studying abroad, volunteering, and hosting exchange students. Read below…
Explore the NSLI-Y Alumni Travel Program: Ganges River Cultural Excursion
Due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, exchange students scheduled to participate in a NSLI-Y Scholarship Program were unable to do so in person, and instead participated in virtual programming. Thanks…
AFS-USA Community Changemaker Award Winners
The theme of our 75th Anniversary is Your Story is Our Story: 75 Years of Creating Global Citizens. While it’s impossible to measure the impact AFS-USA continues to have…
7 Reasons You Should Host an Exchange Student
Hosting an exchange student with AFS-USA is not only a wonderful experience for a teen from another country – it’s a unique opportunity to provide you and your family with…
My study abroad story from Italy to the US: an unexpected return
Tommaso Casavecchi is an AFS-USA Marketing Intern, an AFS alumnus (Italy to U.S., 2018) and a volunteer in his hometown of Florence, Italy. He just took part in another exchange…
Three Generations of Hosting with AFS-USA
The Quandt family first started hosting with AFS-USA in the 1960s when they welcomed Kashu, a student from Afghanistan, into their home. This hosting experience was the catalyst for a…
Albert and Louise D’Agosto Scholarship
Albert and Louise D’Agosto created this $2,000 scholarship to promote learning Italian language and Italian culture through a year-long AFS program in Italy for an outstanding student in Connecticut. The…
The UNICO Avon Chapter Scholarship
The UNICO Avon Chapter Scholarship is a $2,000 scholarship made available by the Avon, Connecticut chapter of UNICO National. UNICO is the largest Italian American service organization in the USA,…
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…
Deconstructing Stereotypes
Overview: Use this lesson to help students realize the impact that stereotypes and unconscious bias have on our everyday behaviors. In this short simulation exercise, students will get to experience…
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…
Resources to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
This collection of resources can be used during Hispanic Heritage Month, also recognized as Latino or Latinx Heritage Month, and be shared year-round. Articles: Elevating Hispanic and Latinx History All Year| PBS …
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…
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…
How Studying Abroad Improves Your Career Prospects
There are so many reasons studying abroad is beneficial — you’ll make new friends, explore a different culture, learn new languages and make memories to last a lifetime. But studying…
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…
Global Educator Newsletter: January 2022
Over the last two years, “connecting” to our friends, colleagues, and students has looked a little different. Zoom, Teams, and Google Hangouts have helped us maintain our relationships locally and…
Global Educator Newsletter: April 2022
Recently, I had the opportunity and honor to recognize extraordinary educators committed to expanding global competence in their schools. Their achievements are many and, like you, they’ve dedicated themselves to…
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…
2022 AFS-USA Global Award Winners
AFS-USA has created two distinct awards to celebrate both individual educators and schools or districts that have made global engagement and intercultural learning a part of their everyday instruction and…
Global Educator Newsletter: September 2022
Connect with a Classroom Abroad Connect your students to Latin America during Hispanic Heritage Month by participating in a Meet & Greet with teachers of all content areas from Central…
Global Educator Newsletter: November 2022
Resources for Veteran’s Day – November 11, 2022 Many schools show their respect for the veterans in their community by holding a recognition ceremony or event honoring the service of…
Global Educator Newsletter: February 2023
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann Throughout history, the global AFS family has been through numerous tragedies and disasters. Because we share such a closeness with the many…
2024 AFS-USA Global Educator Award Winner
AFS-USA, the largest partner in a worldwide network of non-profit, volunteer-based international education organizations, announces that Ms. Elizabeth Chapman, an English Language Arts teacher and the Study Abroad Coordinator at Bellaire High School in Houston, Texas has been named the 2024 AFS-USA Global Educator of the Year.
Global Educator Newsletter: September 2023
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann This month’s edition of the AFS Global Educator shines a spotlight on the theme of “Scholarships & Awards” – a topic close…
Global Educator Newsletter: April 2022
Recently, I had the opportunity and honor to recognize extraordinary educators committed to expanding global competence in their schools. Their achievements are many and, like you, they’ve dedicated themselves to…
Global Educator Newsletter: April 2023
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann Recently I had the honor to recognize two outstanding educators and their schools through the AFS-USA Global Awards. The Deputy Assistant Secretary…
Global Educator Newsletter: October 2023
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann International Education Week (IEW) provides a valuable opportunity for us to celebrate the power of citizen and cultural exchange as a pathway…
Global Educator Newsletter: August 2023
Start the School Year with the *NEW*AFS Intercultural Club Toolkit Dig into this fantastic resource to help you effortlessly create or lead an intercultural club! You asked for it and…
Global Educator Newsletter: August 2023
Start the School Year with the *NEW*AFS Intercultural Club Toolkit Dig into this fantastic resource to help you effortlessly create or lead an intercultural club! You asked for it and…
Global Educator Newsletter: April 2024
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann As we welcome the arrival of spring, we also take this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable achievements and dedication…
2023 AFS-USA Global Award Winners
AFS-USA has two distinct awards to celebrate both individual educators and schools or districts that have made global engagement and intercultural learning a part of their everyday instruction and school…
2024 AFS-USA Global School Award Winner
AFS-USA, the largest partner in a worldwide network of non-profit, volunteer-based international education organizations, announces that Hingham High School in Massachusetts will receive the 2024 AFS-USA Global School Award having competed with schools throughout the country.
Global Educator Newsletter: January 2024
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann As we kick off the new year, AFS-USA continues to dedicate time and resources toward promoting and delivering the many opportunities, experiences,…
Global Educator Newsletter: September 2024
From the AFS-USA President & CEO, Tara Boyce-Hofmann Those of us in the global education community continuously strive to prepare students for a rapidly evolving world, giving them concrete opportunities…
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…
Peter M. Robinson
Treasurer
AFS-USA Meet the Students
This site is only available to residents of the United States. To find out more about AFS hosting opportunities in your country, click here.
Alumni Newsletter: Summer 2021
Dear AFS-USA Alumni, Families, and Friends, I hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well! Whether you studied abroad, hosted a student, sent your child abroad, volunteer or…
Alumni Newsletter: Fall 2021
We’re Moving Forward Thanks to You Over the past year, I have heard from many AFS-USA alumni about what AFS-USA means to them and how thankful they were that they…
Alumni Newsletter: Spring 2022
A Message from Tara Hofmann Today as I write this, our work has taken on even greater urgency as we witness and carefully monitor the tragic invasion in Ukraine. It…
Alumni Newsletter: Summer 2022
A Message from Tara Hofmann It’s remarkable that in September AFS will start its celebration of the 75th anniversary of AFS youth exchange programs. Over the course of the coming…
Alumni Newsletter: Winter 2023
A Message from Tara Hofmann As we begin a new year at AFS-USA (and the second half of our 75th anniversary), together, we have turned a corner in what has…
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…
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…
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…
Global Educator Newsletter: April 2021
In all of my recent travels (virtually) across the United States and around the world, I’ve been grateful (and encouraged) by today’s generation of students, especially their passion for change…
Global Sustainability / Sostenibilidad Global in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
How Science & Spanish teachers collaborate to change the world! In Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, AP Environmental Science teacher, Kelly Holtzman, and Spanish teacher, Danielle Chaussee have formed a unique collaboration. Using…
Why Host an Exchange Student During COVID
Just about a year ago the world changed in ways we never expected and with those changes came a new hosting experience. At a time like this many ask themselves…
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…
AFS-USA Resources to Celebrate Black History Month Year-Round
This is a collection of materials and resources gathered by AFS-USA staff in celebration of Black History Month. While Black History Month is celebrated in February in the US, these…
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…
Cooper E. King Memorial AFS Scholarship
The Cooper E. King Memorial AFS Scholarship was established with the support of family and friends in 2006 to commemorate Cooper’s life by helping a high school student gain an…
AFS Maine Global Explorers: Adventurer Scholarship
Local scholarship for students from Maine.
Phyllis Runkel Scholarship
Local scholarship for students in Canandiagua, New York.
IN MEMORIAM: Richard M. Hunt, AFS Volunteer, Historian, and Philanthropist
AFS is saddened to announce the passing of AFS World War II volunteer and Life Trustee Richard (Rick) M. Hunt, who died on April 10, 2020. Hunt was a student…
Protected: Ireland Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Dominican Republic Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Jill Woerner Appointed to ACTFL’s America’s Language Fellows Working Group
In September, AFS-USA's Director of Educational Outreach, Jill Woerner, was invited to serve as one of America’s Language Fellows because of her unique experiences both with ACTFL’s Professional Learning Committee and other initiatives.
Alumni Newsletter: Fall 2020
Dear AFS-USA Community, While we are all immersed in challenges these days, we’ve also come to value the stability of a singular mission and values that inspire all that we…
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.
Developing Your Potential
Overview: Use this lesson to help your students explore the key attitudes and behaviors associated with success in your content area. This short reflective activity can be completed individually, in…
Days of the Week
Overview: Use this lesson to help students understand the difficulty of “unlearning” concepts and behaviors learned within their own cultural context. It also engages students’ critical thinking skills by challenging…
From Cartoons to Classics
Overview: Movies and television are rich sources of intercultural content when you know what to look for. This activity will help guide you to select a clip, show or film…
Critical Listening through Debate
Overview: Enjoy an intercultural twist on a unit idea that’s been used for years. Active listening skills, critical thinking and collaboration are all part of engaging in a debate in-person…
Listen and Draw
Overview: No artistic abilities are required for this quick activity regardless of whether it is a stand-alone activity or unit starter. Context and communication styles will definitely be part of…
Paper Tear
Overview: Take 3-minutes and generate a fabulous discussion about the power of perspective, active listening, and interpersonal communication. This can easily be done virtually and connects to any content area.…
The What, Why, and When
Overview: Building off the lesson “The What and Why”, students will engage in brief writing activity to determine if their values are aligned with their actions and future goals. Identifying…
The What and the Why
Overview: Do your own personal values and the values of others impact your daily actions and priorities? This activity helps your class explore the concept of values and can provoke…
Mapping My Community
Overview: What makes a community? Is it the people, the landmarks, the events or something else? This activity is a great lead-in for most content areas and provokes a great…
The D.I.V.E. Method
Overview: This lesson provides students with a model for processing new and different experiences in their daily lives. Students will learn to differentiate between observations and judgments, as they practice slowing…
Who Are The NACIREMA?
Overview: Using a model by Horace Mann, this lesson will challenge students to consider the strong ties between language and culture and how much of their culture is embedded in…
Rituals and Traditions
Overview: School routines, rituals and traditions have a large role in the formation of community and students’ comfort levels while learning. This lesson plan helps teachers provoke discussion and reflection…
Interview and Investigate
Overview: Verifying the source of information and understanding how different sources provide varying perspectives on the same topic can be eye-opening for students. This activity is a fun, highly engaging…
The True, The False & The Truly Amazing
Overview: When students form an emotional connection to something that they are learning, they are more likely to remember the content. Use this simple activity with a reading from any…
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…
AFS in Action: Anti-Racism Resources for the AFS Community
“At a time when the world is overcome by pandemics both viral and societal, AFS’s guiding principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are more urgent than ever.” – Hannah Greene, AFS-USA Returnee…