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AFS-USA

Host Family Articles

Host family with YES program student
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

QuandtsTschands1988 5
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

Hosted Students with Mikea
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

gamenight
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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…

judyfamilysitting
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

Why Host an Exchange Student During COVID
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

Testimonial_BlogCover_Graham
Host Family Articles

What it’s Like to Host an Exchange Student from Pakistan

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…

1septwelcomeblog
Host Family Articles

3 Commonly-Asked Questions About Hosting Exchange Students…Answered!

This post was written by Michelle Kulas, an AFS Host Parent. Here it is, the day that my family has been looking forward to for months! Our Japanese exchange student,…

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Host Family Articles

20 Fun Activities for you and your Exchange Student

Whether you’re hosting a high school exchange student or your relatives from abroad are visiting, these quintessential American activities are sure to break the ice. You’ll be creating opportunities for…

Welcome-Family-Cover-2
Blog, Host Family Articles

AFS Welcome Families make a world of difference

What is a welcome family? A welcome family provides a home and a warm welcome for a student for approximately 6-12 weeks. During this time, AFS-USA works to identify a…

carly-cover-1
Host Family Articles

How hosting an exchange student kept me sane after study abroad

AFS/YES Abroad exchange student, Carly, during her study abroad year in Indonesia. Hosting an AFS exchange student from Germany has been one of the best experiences for my family, and…

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Host Family Articles

Words of Wisdom from 2017-2018 AFS Exchange Students

May 2018 — This past mid-May, dozens of exchange students across the Carolinas spent a few hours together to consider the year they are wrapping up and what it will…

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Host Family Articles

One family says “Welcome back!” to their AFS Exchange Student

The Dordal/Boyd family from Olympia, Washington was excited to reunite with their former exchange student, Gamze from Turkey. Despite the months and miles that separated them, Gamze fit right back…

Compton-Family-Cover-Image_sized
Host Family Articles

How to Enrich Your Family by Hosting

After a friend of theirs decided to host an AFS Exchange Student, Margaret and Matthew C. from Michigan were curious to see what it was all about. Their son Andrew…

Exchange student leaves behind legacy in Wisconsin
Host Family Articles

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…

jeremy-yap-J39X2xX_8CQ-unsplash
Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

Movies from Around the World

For the newest installment in our…From Around the World series, we delve into movies recommended by our hosted students from 90+ countries. Film reveals a lot about a specific culture,…

glenn-carstens-peters-EOQhsfFBhRk-unsplash
Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

TV Shows from Around the World

For the next post in our…From Around the World series, we explore favorite TV shows recommended by our recent hosted students. Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love TV? As…

Cover-image_sized
Host Family Articles

How one Florida dad gained another daughter

Of his time with his current exchange student, Adriana from Germany, Chris recalls making "20 million memories, the greatest of which is life."

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Host Family Articles

Bringing the world into your home: The unexpected effects of hosting an exchange student

An AFS Host Mom discusses how she and her family spread peace through understanding.

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Host Family Articles

A Lifetime of Intercultural Exchange

Hosting an exchange student does more than impact your family's year; It can alter the course of your lives forever.

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Host Family Articles

A host sister’s perspective – Gaining a sister and an open mind

My family's experience hosting a foreign exchange student has helped shape who I am today.

Italy-Hosting-Blog-Cover
Host Family Articles

Far Fewer than Six Degrees of Separation

On a trip to Italy, U.S. Host Parents Gayle and Randy discover what a small world it can be when you're part of the AFS community.

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Host Family Articles

Welcoming a Host Daughter, Gaining a Friend: An Interview with Emily Humphrey

Emily Humphrey shares the heartwarming story of her relationship with her host daughter Lulu, the power of the #AFSEffect, and the value of intercultural learning.

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Host Family Articles

What it’s Like to Host an Exchange Student

Hosting an AFS Exchange Student opens your family to the world! We provide a glimpse into what it's like, answers to common questions, and what we do to support you.

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Host Family Articles

10 Thank Yous from Hosted Students to their Teachers

We gave our hosted students the chance to thank their teachers for making them feel welcome in their classrooms and chose ten of our favorite messages.

erica_cover_image
Host Family Articles

5 things you always wanted to know about hosting an exchange student

Hosting an exchange student is an amazing opportunity to form lasting personal bonds, share your culture and values, and expand your family’s horizons. Each year, more than 2,000 families in…

host family bike trail
Host Family Articles

AFS Host Mom Nudrat Shares Her Experience Hosting an International Student

Nudrat I. from Minnesota explains her reasons for hosting and how sharing the year with an exchange student from India has impacted her family.

Brenda Stoll, host mom and volunteer of Independence, MO
Host Family Articles

Global family; lifetime of hosting starts with “Welcome”

We have gotten to know many wonderful young people, families and volunteers through our affiliations with AFS. Looking forward to traveling and visiting a lot of the young people.

sheri 7
Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

An Interview with AFS Host Parent, Sheri Belton-Gonzalez

Sheri is a shining example of a global citizen with an enthusiasm for intercultural exchange. A study abroad student herself, she made it a point to leave her small town…

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Host Family Articles

“What culture?” – Why rural areas are perfect for cultural exchange

Rural areas are ideal places to experience cultural exchange, from small-town high school spirit to traditional folk cultures, tightknit communities, and more!

AFS-USA Exchange Students featured in the Baltimore Sun
Blog, Host Family Articles

AFS-USA Exchange Students featured in the Baltimore Sun

December 23, 2019 – ​On Monday, the Baltimore Sun published an article about AFS Exchange Students living with host families in the Baltimore area. The story highlights the students’ holiday…

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Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Volunteer Articles, Educators Articles, Alumni Articles

Everyday Ambassadors: Public Diplomacy and Why It Matters

When we think of international diplomacy, we might imagine heads of state at official meetings, but in fact everyone can (and should) engage in diplomacy.

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Host Family Articles, Alumni Articles

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.

Hosting with Pride Blog
Blog, LGBTQ+ Pride Articles, Host Family Articles

Hosting with Pride: An Interview with Six-Time AFS Host Parent and Volunteer, Jerry Gulley

Jerry Gulley grew up in a small town in rural Tennessee. In high school, his best friend’s family decided to host an exchange student, Lisi from Austria in 1985. While…

Grace from Thailand with host family
Blog, Host Family Articles

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 between Thailand and the U.S. In his letter, he candidly…

stephen_zhang_cropped
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Educators Articles, Alumni Articles

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 start a new life beyond the comforts of his routine…

Cover-Photo
Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Educators Articles

Quiz: Put Your Global Knowledge to the Test

What does it mean to be “globally competent”? This difficult-sounding term is becoming more and more common in both offices and universities around the world—and students who take the initiative…

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Blog, LGBTQ+ Pride Articles, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Educators Articles, Alumni Articles

LGBTQ+ Pride Across Cultures: An Interview with AFS Returnee and Senior Staff, Melvin Harmon

Melvin Harmon has been involved with and dedicated to student exchange since 1980, starting with his own year abroad in Malaysia. Inspired by the life-changing nature of his experience, he…

Stories: The Lopez-Jones Family
Blog, Host Family Articles

Stories: The Lopez-Jones Family

“This is our second time hosting and it is such a pleasure to share with others how diverse families can be in the US.”            …

Stories: The Pisanelli Family
Blog, Host Family Articles

Stories: The Pisanelli Family

“I discovered what a great parent I can be and this has motivated me to adopt a child.” –Damian Pisanelli Damian Pisanelli and Alex from Germany Fifteen years after my…

5-things-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-hosting-an-exchange-student-
Blog, Host Family Articles

5 Things To Know About Hosting Foreign Exchange Students

Hosting foreign exchange students is an amazing opportunity to form lasting personal bonds, share your culture and values, and expand your family’s horizons. Each year, more than 2,000 families in…

italian_students_cover
Blog, Host Family Articles

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 to learning about another culture and its values. That’s a…

Stories: Real Host Families
Blog, Host Family Articles

Stories: Real Host Families

“This is our second time hosting and it is such a pleasure to share with others how diverse families can be in the US.” The Lopez-Jones family Read their story…

Jenny-Beth’s-Multicultural-Home
Blog, Host Family Articles

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 while she was in high school, they’ve lived abroad together,…

My-Multigenerational-AFS-Family-Email-Banner-v1-r1
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 on our way to a quilting expo. She’s a consummate…

Lounibos_Family_Photo
Blog, Host Family Articles

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!

Greater-Charlotte
Area Team Articles, Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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,…

cathyblog_cover
Blog, Host Family Articles

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!

Student-Letter-Cover
Blog, Host Family Articles

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
Blog, Host Family Articles, Alumni Articles

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…

AFS Exchange Student Reflects on Her Year in North Carolina
Blog, Host Family Articles

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
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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…

How-you-can-enrich-your-family-life-this-fall
Blog, Host Family Articles

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
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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…

One-host-mom-shares-the-value-of-seeing-through-another-person’s-eyes
Blog, Host Family Articles

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
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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
Blog, Host Family Articles

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.

6-Global-Recipes-to-Spice-up-Your-Summer
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles

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-Maddy-Keating
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Alumni Articles

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…

Easy-ways-to-accommodate-your-gluten-free-exchange-student
Blog, Host Family Articles

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-It’s-Like-to-Host-an-Exchange-Student-from-the-Middle-East
Blog, Host Family Articles

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…

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Telephone:
1 800 AFS-INFO

Address:
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About AFS

AFS programs foster transformation that lasts a lifetime. Today’s exchange students are tomorrow’s changemakers: diplomats; thought leaders; influencers in the international business and non-profit communities. Every new exchange student is another global citizen in progress—an individual primed to help build a more just and peaceful world.

And the impact doesn’t stop with the students. Host families’ lives are transformed by new members from across the globe and host communities gain greater cultural diversity. That’s THE AFS EFFECT.

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