Jane Ransom
Board Chair
Article Archive
Young Alumni Reflections
For more than 75 years, AFSers like you have helped advance international awareness and cultural understanding while at the same…
The Year That Changed My Life
My AFS journey began in the summer of 1996, when I went on an AFS year program in France.
AFS Families create global friendships that last a lifetime
Hosting sounded like an enjoyable experience with many benefits, so Jacque and her family said “yes!” This began an international friendship that would span 55 years.
No Visa Required
If you are an American citizen traveling to any of these countries on an AFS Summer or Global Prep Program,…
How Study Abroad Builds Your Skills and Resume
AFS develops active global citizens who help make the world a better place. Our study abroad programs empower young people…
5 Benefits of Hosting an International Exchange Student in Your School
Educators are always looking for ways to expose their students to new cultures and ideas. In particular, world language teacher…
An Open Letter from a Thai AFSer on Hosting
Grace Madthing is an AFSer from Thailand who turned his experience as an exchange student into a passion for diplomacy…
Non-US Citizen FAQ
If you reside in the US but you are not a US citizen, there are additional procedures to follow in…
Apostilles
*Please remember that you MUST NOT REMOVE the apostille and/or staple from its attached document. Removal of either of these will destroy…
Music from Around the World
We’ve updated this blog to include responses from our hosted students as part of our …From Around the World series!…
Craig Wilson
AFS Returnee – U.S. to United Kingdom, 1966 Craig Wilson was a journalist for more than 40 years, spending 30…
Patrick S. Moon
Patrick S. Moon U.S. Ambassador (ret.); Returnee – U.S. to Brazil, 1967 Patrick S. Moon is a retired Senior Foreign…
William R. MacIntosh
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Brazil, 1964-65 Bill MacIntosh retired in 2011 after 40+ years in uniform and business suits.…
William G. Meserve
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Greece 1957; Young Leaders to Soviet Union 1984 Bill Meserve is a former Director and…
H. Jed Hepworth
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Chile 1968 During six years as Director and especially as Chair of the AFS-USA Board…
James A. Kiernan III
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Germany, 1961 James Kiernan, is chairman of the Board of Directors at the Center for…
Connie Askin
Connie Askin Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Mass and MetroWest AFS Returnee – U.S. to Portugal…
Karen Treber
Treasurer
Christina Morales Wood
Christina Morales Wood National Development Director, Stand for Children AFS Host Family Christina is the National Development Director for Stand…
Tara Hayward
Tara Hayward Consultant, Public Health Research and Development Tara Hayward brings a diverse and robust background in business strategy, finance,…
Kelly McFarland Stratman, CAE
Vice Chair
Dr. Marcus Campbell
Dr. Marcus Campbell Superintendent, Evanston Township High School Dr. Marcus Campbell has served as superintendent of Evanston Township High School…
Murray Johnson
Murray Johnson Owner and Manager of a large manufacturing company in Wisconsin and a cattle and crop family farm in…
Madelyn White
Madelyn White Secretary Counsel: Carter Ledyard & Milburn AFS Returnee – U.S. to Belgium; U.S. to France AFS Host Sibling…
Dr. Gregory Sabin
Dr. Gregory Sabin Preceptor at Harvard Extension School, Harvard University Greg Sabin is a Preceptor (Instructor) at the Harvard Extension…
Ann Sweet
Ann Sweet Registered Dental Hygienist Vice Chair of the AFS-USA National Council of Volunteers AFS Host Parent and Volunteer Ann…
Patti Rounsevell
Patti Rounsevell Patti grew up in an international family. Although both of her parents were from small towns, they raised…
Jennifer Dunn
Jennifer Dunn Bio coming soon.
Paul Primak
Paul Primak Paul Primak retired from the Oregon University System after 35 years working with international programs. As Director of…
Ian Hepworth
Ian Hepworth AFS Returnee – U.S. to Chile 1998; AFS Host Brother Ian was most recently VP of Operations for…
Andrea Sehl
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Switzerland, 1971-72 Andrea Sehl, known as Andie, is retired from management consulting, currently working to…
Michael S. Schiff
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Netherlands, 1966 Michael S. Schiff is the owner and President of Incomar Investments in Houston,…
Ambassador (ret.) Thomas B. Robertson
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Germany 1967-68 Ambassador (ret.) Thomas B. Robertson is a returnee from the AFS year program…
Jenny K. Messner
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Brazil, 1970-71 With her husband Michael Messner, Jenny established the Speedwell Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship…
Martyn Redgrave
Martyn R. Redgrave currently serves as Managing Partner and CEO of Agate Creek Partners, LLC, a professional governance and consulting…
Coming Home: An Interview with AFS Alum, Stephen Zhang (China to U.S., ’07-’08)
In high school, Stephen Zhang knew he was ready for something new. He wondered what it would be like to…
How to Become Multilingual
Many of us dream of being able to effortlessly converse in many languages. Let’s face it—multilingualism is a widely desired…
How to Choose a Study Abroad Program that’s Right for You
It can be hard to decide when, where, and how long to study abroad in high school. With 100+ programs…
Why Your Family Should Host an Italian Exchange Student
In today’s era of misleading headlines and political divisions, separating fact from fiction can be tricky, especially when it comes…
Jenny & Beth’s Multicultural Family: “Two is better than one”
Jenny O. and Beth R. were very familiar with foreign exchange and travel– Jenny’s family hosted students three separate times…
6 Ways Studying Abroad in Italy Builds College and Career Choices
Italy is one of the most popular destinations for travelers and it’s clear why – stunning landscapes, striking art and…
What to Pack When You Go Abroad
Maybe you’re rushing to pack before your flight tomorrow and need some quick tips on how to fit your life…
Keith Stock
Chair AFS Returnee – U.S. to Panama, 1969 Mr. Stock is an international strategist, private markets investment manager and financial…
John T. Colas
Co-Chair AFS Returnee – U.S. to Belgium, 1979-80 John T. Colas serves as Partner and Vice Chairman of Oliver Wyman…
Richard Engel
Richard Engel AFS Returnee – U.S. to Italy, 1990-91 Richard Engel serves as NBC News’s chief foreign correspondent. He previously…
Christine Plews
AFS Returnee – U.S. to Ecuador, SP 1969 AFS Host Sibling, 1974-75 AFS Volunteer AFS Host Family Teachers Exchange Program,…
John Bacon
Board Chair
Barbara Olson
Barbara Olson Director of School/Community Relations for the Osseo Area Schools in MinnesotaAFS Returnee, U.S. to Türkiye, 1976-77 The AFS effect…
Gisele Marcus
Secretary
Marlene Baker
Vice President, Development, Alumni Relations, & External Communications Marlene Baker spent the first 25 years of her career in senior…
Steve Thrush
Vice President, Hosting and Strategic Operations Steve Thrush leads AFS-USA’s core hosting operations and is responsible for oversight, strategic priorities,…
Mary Jo Brock
Vice President, Host Family Experience & Stakeholder Engagement Mary Jo Brock first experienced the transformative effect of exchange as a…
Willie Thompson
Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Intelligence Willie has over 17 years of experience with AFS Intercultural Programs. Having participated…
Keri Dooley
Executive Vice President, Compliance & Government Relations
Melvin Harmon
Vice President, Marketing, Study Abroad, and Participant Support & Learning International student exchange has been a part of Melvin Harmon’s…
Tara Boyce-Hofmann
President and Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Kuran
Chair of the Board of Directors
6 lessons from the AFS Returnee who went to space
AFS Returnee Samantha Cristoforetti adjusts her Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. Photo Credit: NASA For many AFS participants, studying abroad…
How Studying Abroad Can Make You Brave
Studying abroad can seem a little scary. You’re far from home in unfamiliar surroundings. You’re dealing with the language barrier…
AFS Robbie Robinson Scholarship
Local scholarships for students attending The Barea Midpark High School in Ohio.
Thomas Duke Memorial Scholarship
Local scholarships for students in the greater Cleveland area.
DelMarPA Year Scholarship
Local scholarships for students from DelMarPa Area Team
AFS Arizona Team Scholarship
The AFS Arizona Area Team Scholarship seeks to fill the gap between the cost of participating in an AFS study…
Kasson-Mantorville AFS Scholarship
The Kasson-Mantorville Scholarship is available for high students who are accepted to any AFS-USA Study Abroad Program. Scholarship Type: Merit-based…
DelMarPA Global Prep Scholarship
Local scholarships for students from DelMarPa Area Team
The Felicia Buell Study Abroad with AFS Scholarship
The Felicia Buell Study Abroad Scholarship will award one (1) student from any high school in Washington County, Ohio or…
Gail Meaker Scholarship
Gail Meaker need and merit-based scholarship for semester and year program students
True Peace Scholarship
Local scholarships for students from Nevada and California
Silver & Gold Area Team Scholarship
Local scholarships for students from Nevada and California
Greater Los Angeles Area Team Scholarships
The Greater Los Angeles Area Team Scholarships are made possible by the generosity of volunteers, individual donors, and foundations in…
Bonnie Jernigan Memorial Scholarship
Local scholarships for students from the Massachusetts Bay Area Team.
Michigan Area Team Scholarship
Students living in Michigan, applying for any of AFS’s study abroad programs, are eligible to apply for a local need- or merit-based partial scholarship.
AFS Vancouver/Battle Ground Chapter Scholarship
$500 - $1,500 local scholarships for students in Washington.
Friends of Greater Cincinnati Scholarship
Local study abroad scholarships for students from the Greater Cincinnati area.
Linda Jackson Straus Scholarship
Up to $2,500 study abroad scholarships for Talawanda High School students from Oxford, Ohio.
Elita Hawley Scholarship
$30,000 in study abroad scholarships for students from Central California counties.
Kirby Capen Study Abroad Scholarship
$1000 study abroad scholarships for students from Connecticut and New York.
Sharon Lage Study Abroad Scholarship
$1000 or more study abroad scholarships for students from Connecticut and New York.
NYC Metro & Hudson Valley Area Team Scholarship
$1000 or more study abroad scholarships to study abroad for students from Connecticut and New York.
CBYX
Full, merit-based scholarship program of the U.S. Department of State to serve as a “youth ambassador” for an academic year home-stay program in Germany.
YES Abroad
Full, merit-based scholarship program of the U.S. Department of State to promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and people of countries of strategic importance.
Yoshi Hattori Memorial Scholarship
Full, merit-based scholarship to study abroad for a year in Japan.
Lingco Scholarship
AFS-USA Lingco Scholarship
AATF & AFS-USA Scholarship
Merit-Based Scholarship for the France Summer Language Camp program.
Let Your Astrological Sign Decide Where You Study Abroad
The mystical art of astrology is almost as old as human civilization. Its staying power has not faded in our…
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Volunteer Articles, Educators Articles, Impact Articles, Alumni Articles
My Multigenerational AFS Family
It’s 2018 and I’m sitting in my grandmother’s sunny Ohio kitchen. We just went to two estate sales and are…
Protected: Turkey Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Colombia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Colombia Semester and Year Visa FAQ
Protected: Thailand Summer Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Thailand Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Switzerland Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Sweden Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Spain Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: South Africa Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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South Africa Semester and Year Visa FAQ
What type of visa do I need? You will be applying for a Temporary Residence Permit/Visa for Studies-Minor for South…
Protected: Serbia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Russia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Portugal Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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