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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Of his time with his current exchange student, Adriana from Germany, Chris recalls making "20 million memories, the greatest of which is life."
An AFS Host Mom discusses how she and her family spread peace through understanding.
Hosting an exchange student does more than impact your family's year; It can alter the course of your lives forever.
My family's experience hosting a foreign exchange student has helped shape who I am today.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Nudrat I. from Minnesota explains her reasons for hosting and how sharing the year with an exchange student from India has impacted her family.
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 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…
Rural areas are ideal places to experience cultural exchange, from small-town high school spirit to traditional folk cultures, tightknit communities, and more!
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…
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.
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.
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
“This is our second time hosting and it is such a pleasure to share with others how diverse families can be in the US.” …
“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…
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…
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…
“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 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,…
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…
The AFS 2018 Reel Life Winners, The Lounibos Family, share their thoughts on how Lison, their host daughter, changed their lives!
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,…
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!
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
We’ve taken 70 years of host family wisdom and bottled it down to the 5 big reasons why they love hosting exchange students.
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…
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…
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…
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…
