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 many factors that go into an AFS student’s journey from applicant to arrival in the US – and we’ll take you through some of them here!
Overview
All AFS partner countries adhere to the AFS Quality Standards that cover aspects of the program experience ranging from applicant screening and pre-departure orientation to on- program support. The requirements and guidelines around student screening and selection are based on over 75 years of experience and research; they emphasize adaptability, suitability, and interest in the mission and goals of AFS. In addition, each of our 50+ AFS partners country also have requirements that are specific to their program. The process of selecting AFS exchange students requires collaboration among many different people across the globe!
Many students become interested in applying to go abroad with AFS because their own family hosted a participant or they learned of the opportunity from a relative or friend who hosted with or went abroad with AFS. Their acceptance into an AFS program is based on a variety of factors, including the applicant’s academic performance, language proficiency as required by each hosting program, and an assessment of the student’s ability to adjust to life in their host destination made by AFS volunteers and staff in their country of origin. Read on for details about the application and selection process for students who apply to the AFS-USA high school program!
The Application
Depending on their country of origin, students may complete their application 6 to 18 months prior to the program start date! This allows time for a rigorous selection process, and pre-departure orientation for those who are selected to go on program.
The application contains many questions to help AFS staff and volunteers get a feel for the applicant and whether they might be a good fit for the program. What has motivated them to apply? What are their aspirations and strengths? What are the skills and knowledge they hope to develop while on program? Additional questions about their family, home life, and interests are designed to help volunteers and staff find a good match for the student if selected for the program.
The Interview
All AFS applicants must be interviewed in person with one or both of their parent/s or guardians present. The interview provides the opportunity for the interviewer to observe attributes that may not shine through other aspects of the application process, such as their personality, communication style, sense of humor, level of curiosity, and commitment to the program. During the interview the applicant and their parent or guardian are also encouraged to ask questions about AFS and the program, to help determine whether it is a good fit for them!
Student Letter
To allow even greater insight into the applicant’s personality, ambitions, and habits, they are asked to answer prompts provided by AFS, sometimes in the form of a letter to their potential host family. This information helps the student share more about their hobbies and passions, what they hope to gain from living in the U.S., activities they’re looking forward to, and experiences that have impacted their lives in their home countries. They also outline their daily routine, family life, and habits – information that can help ensure a great host family match.
Parent/Guardian Letter
Although this is an optional portion of the application, a letter from the applicant’s sending parent or guardian is recommended because it helps AFS volunteers and staff get a sense of the student from their parent’s/guardian’s point of view. Having a different lens through which to view the student can help AFS volunteers and staff understand more about the applicant’s character, accomplishments, and desire to participate in an exchange.
Photos & Audio/Video
Another way AFS volunteers and staff learn about an applicant is through photos and audio/video recordings, which offer a glimpse into their daily lives. Students are asked to provide photos of themselves participating in sports or activities they enjoy, pursuing their goals, and spending time with loved ones – this kind of content provides a great source of knowledge when it comes to understanding more about the applicant on a personal level. Students can also share videos of themselves as part of the application process to support their candidacy for program. After being accepted into the program, students are requested to send audio files introducing themselves to their potential future host families. Photos and videos of students are only available for review by a prospective host family once they have been fully screened by AFS.
School Transcripts/Academics
Because students are expected to maintain a high standard in their academics while on program in the U.S., their academic performance in their home country is another important aspect of the application process. In addition to the student’s academic transcripts, this portion of the application also includes a recommendation from a teacher in their home country – and students work with AFS partner countries to make sure they can stay on track academically during their AFS program.
English Language Skills
Students must be proficient in English to obtain the J-1 visa required to participate in the AFS semester/year program in the U.S. To assess their English language skills, they’re required to pass a standardized test and provide an English language recommendation form completed by a teacher. Their test results and English language recommendation form are provided to potential schools to aid in the enrollment process. It is equally important for applicants to be proficient in English to be able to communicate with their host family, make friends, adapt and engage with their life on program, and embrace new experiences. Although being immersed in American life will help students become more fluent in English, it’s important they have a good foundation to build upon prior to coming to the U.S.
Health Forms
Students must have their doctor complete an AFS Medical Form to identify any allergies, different levels of ability, medical conditions, or treatment needs that could impact their experience while abroad. Staff may also consult with medical and mental health professionals who request additional information to help ensure that the students medical and/or mental health needs can be sufficiently accommodated while on program. These efforts, once again, help to facilitate the best student/family match possible. A detailed account of the applicant’s immunizations is provided and any missing immunizations that will be needed prior to arrival/school enrollment are noted. Within six weeks of arrival, students must provide a Medical Form Addendum completed by their doctor that is designed to alert staff, volunteers, and their host family, to any changes to the student’s health, treatment plans, etc. that could impact their program.
Orientations
Once is a student is accepted into the program, they begin their AFS Student Learning Journey through completion of in-person and online orientations, both in their home country and while in the U.S. In addition to addressing practical matters, these orientations are based on the AFS Educational Framework which is designed to help participants achieve the AFS Educational Goals and experience an enriching, rewarding, and fun experience, in tandem with their host family.
Pre-arrival orientations vary by country, and include a thorough overview of what they should expect during their time in the U.S., rules they must follow, and how best to prepare for their exchange program. The orientations students attend in the U.S. generally take place in their host community with their local AFS-USA volunteer team upon their arrival, halfway through their program, and near the end of their program before returning home. Host Families must also complete an orientation prior to their student’s arrival and may participant in orientations during the program as well. Students and host families receive 24/7 support from AFS-USA staff and volunteers.
Conclusion/Host Family Matching
The timeline for student/host family matching varies. Some students are matched with a host family months before their arrival, and others may not find out they’ve been matched with a host family until much closer to their arrival date in the U.S. Aside from all of the factors discussed above, duration can also impact a host family match – some families may be a welcome family for a few weeks or months, while others may host for a full academic year.
Matching is a collaborative process that involves AFS-USA staff, volunteers, and the prospective host family. Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student can review student profiles on the AFS-USA website – and after filling out a short form, they’ll be able to get in touch with our team to ask questions, begin the host family screening process, and identify the best match for their family!