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…
Blog
Spotlight On: Hannah Brusewitz
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I learned about AFS when I was…
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…
Spotlight On: Alison Colaluca
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I grew up fifteen minutes away from…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 On: Janet Gaudet
Janet Gaudet became involved with the Greater Illinois Team after getting to know the hosted student of a close friend.…
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?…
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…
Spotlight On: Christine McGarvey
Meet Christine McGarvey of the Baltimore Team. She has been a host mom, a liaison, a hosting coordinator and a…
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…
Spotlight On: Katherine Weber
This month AFS USA is pleased to spotlight Katherine (Kate) Weber of the Michigan Team. Kate is a relative newcomer…
Spotlight On: Nancy Bridges
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? A daughter of friends had been an…
Spotlight On: Marie Tonus
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My son David was an alternate to…
Spotlight On: Kristin Svec
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I heard about AFS as a teenager…
Spotlight On: Marla Gamble
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I became aware or AFS as a…
Spotlight On: Jean Goecks
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter was a semi finalist for…
Spotlight On: Lynn Adams
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was a teacher at Washburn High…
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…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Birkhimer
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was an exchange student on the…
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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
5 Reasons Being an Older Host Sister is the Best
Written by Cathy Robinson Ten years ago, I started high school. Along with the first homecoming dance and first honors…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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.…
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…
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…
One host mom shares the value of seeing through another person’s eyes
“The differences are what make us stronger.” Over the past few years, Deb C. and her family have enjoyed broadening…
From Ghana to California: A Year of Precious Moments
When Philip was an exchange student from Ghana, he was hosted by the Grace family in California during the 2016-17…
5 Reasons Families Love to Host Exchange Students
Each year since 1947, AFS Host Families volunteer for the unique and exciting experience of hosting an AFS Exchange Student…
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…
6 Global Recipes to Spice up Your Summer
Summer is the perfect time to get together with your friends and neighbors and try new recipes! We’ve picked some…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
Returnee Spotlight on: Dana Buzzelli
September 21, 2016 – Dana Buzzelli is an alumna of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program, funded…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…