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…
Article Archive
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: Kodee (Returnee 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…
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…
Featured Returnee Social Media Takover: Jaime Cantwell
MONDAY: Hi, I’m Jaime Cantwell! I went to Deyang, China on a NSLI-Y scholarship the summer of 2016—I studied Mandarin Chinese at Deyang Foreign Language School for six weeks while…
5 Reasons Being an Older Host Sister is the Best
My family made the decision to host an AFS student of our own for the very first time. I'd like to share a few reasons why being an older host sister is the best!
Announcing the Winners of the 2017-2018 Project: Change Contest
We’re happy to announce the winners of the 2017 AFS Project: Change contest! Five young change-makers will be traveling to Kenya this summer to carry out a volunteer project focusing…
Camas Washington AFS Volunteer wins Highest Award for her Intercultural Education Efforts!
Jean Goecks wins intercultural education award Portland, OR January 25, 2018 – Each year, AFS (an Intercultural Education Nonprofit) recognizes one exceptional volunteer out of all the 4200 volunteers nationally…
Uncovering the beauty of Pakistan
Exchange student Huda on uncovering the beauty of Pakistan Huda, an exchange student from Pakistan in the Carolinas this year, was selected by the US Department of State to attend…
3 Ways to #LoveACharity and Exercise Your Global Citizenship
February is #LoveACharity month! Historically, February has been one of the slowest months for charitable donations and volunteer engagement, but the #LoveACharity movement is working to change that. Read on…
AFS Exchange Student Nicolette Shares Her Message for Peace
Nicolette is an AFS Exchange Student from South Africa who is spending the school year with a host family in Colorado. She shares her insights on what it means to…
AFS families create global friendships that last a lifetime
It all started in 1962, with a phone call to the Rayner family. Someone from their local high school in Maryland called Jacque Leedom (nee Rayner) and her family asking…
Holiday traditions around the world
Exploring holiday traditions around the world with AFS As your exchange students experienced their first American Christmas, we asked them to tell us about their typical holidays traditions around the…
What’s the best way to learn Spanish? We looked at 7 options
Spanish is one of the most widely-spoken languages on the planet. Whether you want to study abroad in Buenos Aires or boost your college applications, knowing Spanish will benefit your…
An Exchange Student’s Typical Day Living in Chile
With its beautiful landscapes, vibrant traditions, and delicious foods, Chile is a fun and friendly destination to study abroad! Former AFS Exchange Student Rachael describes what it was like to…
Exchange student leaves behind legacy in Wisconsin
Moving to an American town 6,000 miles from home might leave a teenager shy or timid. But not Maryse, an AFS Exchange Student who came to Oshkosh, WI on a…
Tell Congress: Exchange Programs are Critical to Public Diplomacy
Recently, the Trump administration released its budget proposal for 2018, which includes a 55% cut to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Among other valuable initiatives,…
What iPhones and hoodies can teach us about cultural understanding
How cultural understanding and global competency play a central role in the modern world Every day the world is becoming more and more interconnected. Since 1 in 5 jobs in…
AFS Exchange Student Reflects on Her Year in North Carolina
In October 2017, Deniz Kaarayan, a former AFS international exchange student from Turkey, flew to Chapel Hill on her way to Boston to deliver a presentation on her medical research…
My study abroad story: People welcomed me with an open heart
Hello! My name is Aqsa and I currently live in the Pacific Northwest as an AFS Exchange Student. I came here through a scholarship called the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study…
Making the world your home
The following blog post was written by Rebecca A. Eckland, an AFS Returnee who studied abroad in France in 1999. Today, Rebecca is a professional writer and accomplished athlete who mentors…
6 study abroad photos you can’t go home without
When you go abroad, you have the chance to make new friends, develop unique cultural insights, and see the world from a different perspective. But… if you’re like most AFSers,…
Celebrity quotes about travel to inspire your next trip
Did you know that before starring in films like The Royal Tenenbaums and Iron Man, a 15-year-old Gwyneth Paltrow lived with a host family in Spain? Or that on his way to becoming…
8 things I love about Ghana
Wondering what makes Ghanaian culture unique from an American perspective? We’re just scratching the surface, but these observations will give you a glimpse at Ghanaian culture through the eyes of…
Trinity College President, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Joins the Board of AFS-USA
September 1, 2017 | New York, NY – Trinity College’s 22nd President, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, has joined the Board of Directors of AFS-USA, a leading intercultural education organization headquartered in New York…
The Great Benefits of A Gap Year
The White House recently announced that Malia Obama will be attending Harvard University but has decided to take a gap year before beginning her college studies. Generally, a gap year refers to…
4 French Cheeses to Know: Global Taste Test
France’s world-famous cuisine makes it a dream destination for anyone with taste buds and an appetite. In particular, the French are very proud of their cheese—and rightly so! For turophiles…
6 Steps to Promote Intercultural Learning in Your Classroom
Milton Bennet, from the Intercultural Research Development Institute defines intercultural learning as an “area of research, study and application of knowledge about different cultures, their differences and similarities. On the…
How you can enrich your family life this fall
Becoming “mom” and “dad” to an exchange student After a friend of theirs decided to host an AFS Exchange Student, Margaret and Matthew C. from Michigan were curious to see…
One family says “welcome back!” to their AFS student
The Dordal/Boyd family from Olympia, Washington was excited to reunite this summer with their former exchange student, Gamze from Turkey. Despite the months and miles that separated them, Gamze fit…
Elijah’s Adventures in Japan
Elijah documents his experiences traveling with his family and AFS on his popular YouTube channel, EliNation. Elijah Knorpp is not your average sixteen-year-old. He has eight siblings (five of whom are…
Joan Bowman Siegel is Elected Board Chair of AFS-USA
July 18, 2017 | New York, NY – AFS-USA is pleased to announce the election of Joan Bowman Siegel, an AFS Returnee and retired U.S. Government Analyst, as its new…
One host mom shares the value of seeing through another person’s eyes
Over the past few years, Deb C. and her family have enjoyed broadening their horizons by welcoming AFS high school exchange students into their home.
From Ghana to California: A Year of Precious Moments
From Ghana to California: A Year of Precious Moments
5 Reasons Families Love to Host Exchange Students
We’ve taken 70 years of host family wisdom and bottled it down to the 5 big reasons why they love hosting exchange students.
Norwegian father & son attend Myers Park HS 33 years apart
June, 2017 — Charlotte, NC — Myers Park High School has been hosting exchange students for over 33 years. How do we know for sure? Kaare Risung was an exchange student…
6 Global Recipes to Spice up Your Social Distancing
Just because you can’t get together with your friends and neighbors, doesn’t mean you can’t try new recipes! We’ve picked some of our favorite dishes from around the world to…
Returnee Spotlight: Helene Bee
December 9, 2016 – Helene B. spent her AFS year in Indonesia as a recipient of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of…
Advice from Maggie: Being a global citizen after exchange
November 29, 2016 – Returnee and AFS-USA Intern, Maggie (pictured below) shares her advice… Advice from Maggie: Being an active global citizen after exchange For many AFS returnees, coming home to…
Returnee Spotlight: Nico B.
November 7, 2016 – Nico B. spent the 2012 -2013 academic year in Egypt with AFS and participated in the 2015 Returnee Leadership Summit. Since his exchange year, he has also…
Returnee Spotlight: Maddy Keating
November 7, 2016 – Maddy K. spent her AFS year in Germany as a recipient of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and…
Advice from Maggie: Keeping Up With Your Host Language
October 13, 2016 – Returnee and AFS-USA intern, Maggie V. (pictured below, right) shares her advice… As all of us AFS returnees know, the first few months after exchange ends can be…
9 study abroad tips for students and parents
When you’re curious about traveling the world, it’s natural to feel excited…and not altogether prepared. Check out these words of wisdom from AFSers who’ve been there! For Students Real AFS…
7 reasons why Iguazu Falls is more than just a waterfall
Iguazu Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It’s a popular tourist destination, but also offers the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and…
Returnee Spotlight on: Dana Buzzelli
September 21, 2016 – Dana Buzzelli is an alumna of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and…
Easy ways to accommodate your gluten-free exchange student
While food culture and eating habits are different around the world, people everywhere love to enjoy a good meal. When you host an international exchange student with AFS, your family…
What I learned from volunteering with refugees
Former AFS Study Abroad Specialist Hillary Weinberger shares her experience on her adventures with AFS students in Hungary. I’ve always said that the most important part about traveling is food. I…
These 11 things will make you dream of Spain
At some point, we’ve all had our imaginations stirred by Spanish culture. From the intricate patterns of brightly-colored mosaics to a flamenco dancer clapping her castanets, there’s definitely something alluring.…
What It’s Like to Host an Exchange Student from the Middle East
For James and Karen Graham, hosting an international exchange student with AFS has been a way to explore new cultures and make a positive impact. James’s family hosted an exchange…
The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I, 1914-1919 Curriculum
April 25, 2016 – AFS is proud to announce the launch of The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I, 1914-1919, a unique and relevant curriculum about American volunteers in World War…
When life abroad becomes your new “normal”
The following is an excerpt from the student blog, Travels through Turkey. Its author, Kathryn, is a recipient of the Kennedy-Luger Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department…
In Japan, fashion offers an opportunity for self-expression
The fashion scene in Japan is vibrant and unique. This makes for a dynamic blend of styles, especially in the fast-paced city of Tokyo. Japanese fashion is continuously evolving as…
6 ways to get your hands dirty volunteering in Costa Rica
It’s easy to see why everyone’s interested in sustainable agriculture these days. By adopting new farming practices that focus on sustainability, we can develop smarter ways to feed our planet…
5 of Argentina’s Coolest Cultural Exports
Certain things are so good they need to be shared with the world. Sometimes they spread like wildfire. Other times, they creep out so slowly and discreetly that we eventually…
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Value of Service Learning
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is known to many as one of the most influential leaders of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. His passion and enthusiasm for social justice and equality changed…
5 ways Chile satisfies the soul
With its characteristically warm people, complex and beautiful landscapes, savory cuisine, and rich cultural traditions, Chile can make you feel good inside and out. It’s the perfect balance of comfort…
5 ways to be a fundraising superstar
If you need extra funds to study abroad, but have doubts about your ability to personally fundraise, KEEP READING. We’re going to tell you the story of Anna and Eliot,…
My Paraguayan Prom
On November 30th, my Paraguayan classmates and I had our Prom/Graduation Ceremony! It’s really the polar opposite of Prom in the United States. Here in Paraguay, graduates invite all of…