Protected: Indonesia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Article Archive
Protected: India Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: India Summer Visa Guidelines
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Protected: India Global Prep Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Iceland Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Hungary Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Hong Kong Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Ghana Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: France Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Finland Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Egypt Summer Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Egypt Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Ecuador Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Ecuador Semester and Year Visa FAQ
What type of visa do I need? You will be applying for a Temporary Resident – Student visa. How do I apply for the visa? You can apply for your…
Denmark Community Service Guidelines
STEP 1: Visit the Denmark Embassy website to learn more about requirements Research the Denmark Embassy website for information about the Residence and Work Permit. Please note that you must go to the…
Denmark Community Service FAQ
What type of visa do I need? You will be applying for a Residence and Work Permit for Denmark. How do I apply for the visa? You must apply in-person…
Protected: Denmark Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Czech Republic Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Croatia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Costa Rica Semester Community Service Guidelines
Overview and Deadlines You will enter Costa Rica under a tourist status. In order to live and study in Costa Rica you are required to exend your tourist status into…
Protected: Costa Rica Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: China Summer Visa Guidelines
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China Summer Visa FAQ
What type of visa do I need? You will be applying for a Business F Visa for China. How do I apply for the visa? All students may apply in-person…
Protected: China Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Chile Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Canada Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Canada Summer Visa FAQ
Am I required to have a visa? If you have an American passport, you do not need to apply for a visa prior to departure. Please let AFS know if…
Protected: Brazil Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Belgium-Flanders Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Belgium-French Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Argentina Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Austria Year Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Austria Semester Visa Guidelines
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Protected: Australia Semester and Year Visa Guidelines
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An update on AFS-USA’s Leadership Initiative for Teams (LIFT) Workshop
December 5, 2018 – Over the weekend, AFS-USA conducted a leadership development workshop at Trinity College’s new Action Lab. Among the attendees were AFS-USA President/CEO Tara Boyce-Hofmann, Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney,…
4 Wonders of Argentina
With Latin American and European influences, Argentina is a multifaceted country with so much to offer. There’s the romantic tango, the passion of fútbol culture, and the delicious beef prepared during an asado,…
Sky Camp!
Fun times at Pacific Cascades’s post-arrival orientation, Sky Camp! Mixing up deep discussions with a good dose of fun. Parents and siblings coming together with volunteers to support the student…
Redwoods Meet-Up
A group of students from AFS Pacific Cascades met together late September in California for a visit to the Redwoods. The Douglas County local chapter sponsored a camping trip with…
The Good Stuff about hosting…
This is the Good Stuff about hosting………… The Steagall Family from NW Portland shared this: “You get to visit places you would not have otherwise. We all went to Tunisia…
Fall Festival Meet-Up
Denmark, France, Brazil, Switzerland, Dominican Republic, Chile and Germany represented AFS at the Fall Festival meet-up!
Top 25 Benefits of Studying Abroad
Our friends at TakeLessons provided us with this great blog post of the Top 25 Benefits of Studying Abroad! Let’s be honest, studying abroad is a life-changing experience. Not only do…
Second Arrivals
A few family photos of the first meeting between students and families at September arrivals.
Q&A With Board Vice Chair: Jed Hepworth
Jed Hepworth is our new Board Vice Chair and has been a member of AFS-USA’s Board of Directors since 2015. He is also an AFS Returnee (U.S. to Chile, 1968-69),…
Say “Yes!” to Hosting: The Lounibos Family
The AFS 2018 Reel Life Winners, The Lounibos Family, share their thoughts on how Lison, their host daughter, changed their lives!
6 Resume-Building Reasons to Study Abroad in France
With over seventeen thousand students studying abroad in France each year, it’s no surprise that the country is one of the most popular destinations for international education. Its charming blend…
AFS Volunteer Awards Season is Here!
We are excited to announce the 2016 AFS Volunteer Awards! Once every year, a winner for each award is chosen from the entire AFS global community. This is a great…
5 Ways You Can Practice Hometown Diplomacy
Hometown Diplomacy is the process through which individual citizens facilitate lasting, positive relationships with citizens of other countries through sharing something very close to their hearts: the places they call…
Spotlight On: Janne Harrelson and Patti Rounsevell
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? Patti is an AFS returnee (Costa Rica, 1966) and learned about AFS from her high school’s AFS…
Spotlight On: Terri Windsor, AFS-USA Volunteer and Host Parent
Terri Windsor is an AFS-USA Volunteer and host parent in the Youngstown, Ohio area. In this article, she shares how her AFS journey began, her work with the AFS Northeast…
Spotlight On: Stephanie Davidson
Meet Stephanie Davidson of Helotes, Texas. She’s an AFS returnee who participated in two AFS Summer Study Abroad programs: A community-service based program in Panama and a Spanish language immersion…
Spotlight On: Danielle Tye
Meet Danielle Tye…This is her 11th year volunteering with AFS! When people ask what her hobbies are, she always says “AFS.” Whether serving on the National Council, planning the National…
Spotlight On: Jill Goldsmith
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was involved in the AFS club in my high school in the late 1970s and loved…
Spotlight On: Paula McElroy
Meet Paula McElroy, of Silverwood Michigan. She’s a high school teacher, history buff, wife and parent who has made cultural exchange an essential part of her daily life. Since 2002,…
Spotlight On: Bob Rushing
Meet Bob Rushing of Silverspring, Maryland. He’s a long-time AFSer who has worn numerous hats in the organization, from host brother to host dad to volunteer. Here is his AFS…
Spotlight On: Sandra Caporossi
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter was in eighth grade and wanted a sister! Unfortunately, I could not have any more…
Spotlight On: Eric Mattlin
Meet Eric Mattlin of Chicago. A relative newcomer to AFS, Eric is an active member of the Greater Chicago team and is amazed how much of an impact AFS has…
Spotlight On: Ann Sweet
Meet Ann Sweet of Williamsville, New York. Her energy for AFS is limitless. She has hosted 16 AFS students, been a Support and Event Coordinator and sits on the Volunteer…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Broda
Meet Kathleen Broda. She first became aware of AFS in 7th grade from her English teacher whose son was studying on an AFS program in France. When asked about her…
Spotlight On: Christy Hedrick
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? In the late summer of 2012 a co-worker shared an email from AFS that nine students needed…
Spotlight On: Carol McCaulley
Meet Carol McCaulley of California’s Silver and Gold Team. In her countless years as an AFS volunteer, she has served in nearly every volunteer role imaginable. When asked what she…
Global Competency in Action: An AFS-USA Volunteer Fights Ebola in West Africa
March 3, 2015 – When Dr. Coleen Cunningham isn’t busy being a mother to her five children, an accomplished infectious disease physician, and a professor at the Duke University School of…
Spotlight On: Hannah Brusewitz
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I learned about AFS when I was 16 from a co-worker who was preparing to go to…
Spotlight On: Allison Case Barton
Allison was enthralled by the AFS stories of her uncle who spent a year in Spain in the early 60s and in 1976, she too, was able to experience the…
Spotlight On: Alison Colaluca
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I grew up fifteen minutes away from C.W. Post College and heard through my AFS High School…
True Stories of Outstanding Volunteers
April 16, 2015 – AFS has been a volunteer-driven organization for nearly 70 years. Volunteerism is at the core of our philosophy, and our incredible network of 40,000 volunteers worldwide…
Spotlight On: Lana Davis Boyle
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I had a friend from Australia with AFS who was attending our school on an AFS program.…
Spotlight On: Michelle Brenner
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter’s dance teacher is a long time AFS volunteer and host family so I was aware…
Spotlight On: Ruth Blackstock
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My friend, Agnes Matheson’s daughter, Marina, was on AFS exchange to Switzerland. She knew of my love…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Collins
For the month of March we are proud to feature Kathy Collins of the Lake Superior Team in our Volunteer Spotlight. Kathy has the title of Chair –and a couple…
Spotlight On: Janet Gaudet
Janet Gaudet became involved with the Greater Illinois Team after getting to know the hosted student of a close friend. Over the year she had the opportunity to get to…
How Local Volunteers Solidify New Global Friendships
August 4, 2015 – What does a small American town on the Oregon coast have to do with international diplomacy, anyway? More than you might think… Tillamook, Oregon, is the site…
Spotlight On: Stassa & Jay Phillips
This month we are excited to be spotlighting an AFS COUPLE! Jay and Stassa Phillips of the Ohio River Valley Team have been involved with AFS since 1991 when they…
Spotlight On: Christine McGarvey
Meet Christine McGarvey of the Baltimore Team. She has been a host mom, a liaison, a hosting coordinator and a group leader at orientations. Being a part of AFS has…
Spotlight On: Rio Orticio
Rio Orticio knows first-hand what it is like to come to a different country to study. Because of his experiences as an international student, Rio is dedicated to ensuring that…
Spotlight On: Katherine Weber
This month AFS USA is pleased to spotlight Katherine (Kate) Weber of the Michigan Team. Kate is a relative newcomer to the world of AFS. Registering for the first time…
Spotlight On: Nancy Bridges
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? A daughter of friends had been an AA and they had hosted. They approached us as possible…
Spotlight On: Marie Tonus
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My son David was an alternate to go abroad with AFS. He was not selected but I…
Spotlight On: Kristin Svec
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I heard about AFS as a teenager at East Peoria Community High School. I was friends with…
Spotlight On: Marla Gamble
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I became aware or AFS as a high school teacher in Fairborn, Ohio as I had contact…
Spotlight On: Jean Goecks
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter was a semi finalist for a CBYX scholarship. When that didn’t happen, she was encouraged…
Spotlight On: Lynn Adams
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was a teacher at Washburn High School where the French teacher started the AFS program at…
Spotlight On: Rio Orticio
Rio Orticio knows first-hand what it is like to come to a different country to study. Because of his experiences as an international student, Rio is dedicated to ensuring that…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Birkhimer
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was an exchange student on the CBYX program with AFS. What keeps you coming back to…
Welcome, World! Hosting Foreign Exchange Students
Thirteen Greater Charlotte families welcomed a new son or daughter this week into their homes. Not babies, however. They are hosting foreign exchange students from nine countries around the world,…
7 Real AFS Returnees Review Our Study Abroad Programs
Read study abroad program reviews from real AFS Returnees about their formative experiences studying abroad on our programs! 1. Naomi, U.S. to Brazil ‘11 Ready to experience the warm, close-knit…
The Top AFS Welcome Signs!
Students from all over the world are arriving to the U.S. to meet their AFS Host Families. Over the years, host families have made such creative, sweet, and thoughtful signs…
How student exchange enriched a Bay Area school…with robotics!
Hosting international exchange students does more than bring diverse cultures into a community. For John O’Connell High School in San Francisco, hosting an AFS international exchange student gave students a…
AFS Reel Life Finalist Announced
Kudos to the following 25 host families and their exchange students for advancing to the final round of the Reel Life contest (listed alphabetically by student’s first name): Bronislav T.…
AFS-USA Staff pay tribute to lives taken in the Santa Fe, TX tragedy
June 1, 2018 – Our AFS-USA staff in New York recently gathered for a moment of silence to honor the ten people who tragically lost their lives in a shooting in…
Happy Mother’s Day, Lisa, from Fanny
Hi Mom, A lot of things have been happening since I first know you and your family through email on July 2017. We’ve been through summer, fall, winter, and now…
Happy Mother’s Day, Rebecca, from Johannes!
Thank you, Mom My name is Johannes, I’m from Germany and an exchange student at Snohomish High School. This Mother’s Day I want to celebrate my awesome Host mom Rebecca.You’ve…
Happy Mother’s Day, Lisa, from Fanny
Hi Mom, A lot of things have been happening since I first know you and your family through email on July 2017. We’ve been through summer, fall, winter, and now…
National Volunteer Week brings worlds together in Charlotte
April 30, 2018 — Charlotte, NC– At the tail end of Charlotte’s Do Good Week (National Volunteer Week), 14 exchange students and host family members of AFS Greater Charlotte joined…
5th Annual AFS Intercultural Festival – Travel the World in Just one Afternoon!
Spend the afternoon traveling the world without having to pack your bags. The AFS Intercultural Festival celebrates the cultures of the 2017-2018 AFS students in the New York and Connecticut…
AFS Returnee Professional Development Webinars
About AFS Returnee Professional Development Webinars We are please to share that Pamela Berland Ex, AFS Returnee, U.S. to Brazil 1975-76 has agreed to reprise our popular professional development webinars…
Volunteer Appreciation Month: Rachael (Newer Volunteer)
For Volunteer Appreciation Month, AFS GPS would like to spotlight and thank one of our outstanding volunteers! Rachael is new to volunteering with GPS this year, and does a fabulous…
Volunteer Appreciation Month: Featuring Heidi (Longtime Volunteer)
We have many wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to AFS. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, AFS GPS would like to spotlight and publicly thank one of…
4 island study abroad destinations you won’t want to miss
Picture yourself on a sandy beach with the cool ocean breeze blowing across your skin. You’re surrounded by new friends who are eager to share their culture, and you’ve filled…
AFS Greater Charlotte promotes peace with study abroad fundraising
Finding community at an AFS study abroad fundraising event Approximately 150 people turned out Friday night March 9th for AFS Greater Charlotte’s #PassPeaceForward Event & Fundraiser, the Charlotte region’s largest…