For most AFS programs, you’ll live with a carefully-screened, volunteer host family. AFS families come in all different shapes and sizes, but every one of them has a connection to a local AFS volunteer, and has gone through an orientation that helped them prepare for hosting a student. Most families live in towns or cities with small to medium populations. Because your host family selection will be based in part on your personality and interests, we’re not able to accept requests for placement in a specific city or region. This is why it’s important to be flexible!

On most dorm-based programs, you’ll live together with other students from around the world, and will have a program leader on-duty 24/7. Each dorm experience is different; check out the specific program page for more details.

Your academic experience will vary greatly based on your host country. Depending on your own academic background, you may find classes in many parts of Europe and Asia to be more challenging, while in some Latin American or African countries, the academic experience could be less demanding. Either way, going to school abroad is an immensely effective way to learn another language. Most classes will be taught in the local dialect, and sure, you might be confused at first! But if you’re like most AFSers on year or semester programs, by the midpoint of your program or even sooner, you shouldn’t have much of a problem following along. Just remember: it’s all a part of the immersion experience.

Your specific school placement will depend on a lot of factors, including where your host family lives. You may or may not attend the same school as your host siblings, if you have any. No matter what, you won’t have to pay extra for your schooling – that’s all included in the program fee (though you may need to buy a uniform, which is not included).

Prior to departure, you’ll meet up with the other students going on your program and go through a short orientation in your international departure city. There, you’ll get to talk to someone who recently spent time in your host country or region, and will have the chance to ask any last-minute questions. Then you’ll fly together with the whole group to your host country. You may also have an AFS staff or volunteer fly with you, especially if you’re in a large group. Most Global Prep program participants also fly with AFS staff. No matter what, you’ll have AFS staff or volunteers help you check into your flight and meet you at the airport upon your arrival and return.

Learn more about traveling with AFS 

Upon arrival, you’ll see AFS staff or volunteers waiting to greet you at the airport. In some cases, you’ll be brought directly to a welcome orientation that may last anywhere from a day to a week depending on your program. In other cases, you’ll go straight to your host family upon arrival and attend a welcome orientation at a later date. The trip to your host community could be by car, train, bus, or even airplane depending on the distance, but you’ll likely travel with fellow AFSers who will also be living in your community. Alternatively, your host family could come pick you up and you’ll all travel together.

As a volunteer-based organization that has been implementing exchange programs for over 75 years, AFS has an extensive support network for you, your family in the U.S., and your host family abroad. There are local AFS staff and volunteers in every host country, as well as a support staff here in the U.S. – there will always be someone on-call, 24/7.

While you’re abroad, your first level of support will be your host family or group leader. You’ll also have an additional volunteer “liaison” who will serve as your personal bridge to your new host family, community and culture.

Even if you’re already insured under your family’s medical plan, your program fee includes secondary medical insurance. As part of our commitment to your health and safety, this plan ensures that you can get medical treatment as soon as possible in the case of an emergency.

Learn more about how AFS provides for your health and safety while abroad.

Travel to other areas in the region may be allowed with permission from your parents and AFS in your host country, especially if it’s at the end of your program. Too much travel can keep you from really immersing yourself in the local culture, but short trips can be a great way to learn more about the area. You might also have the opportunity to go on organized trips with your school or other AFSers. Travel back to the U.S., however, is only allowed under very rare circumstances.

If you have friends or family who want to visit, the visit must be approved by AFS and we strongly recommend arranging it for the end of your program so that it’s not disruptive to your experience.

Yep. Because your health and safety is our #1 priority, there are a number of country-specific rules that you’ll need to respect. Each one is designed based on cultural norms and sensitivities. There are also three global rules that all AFS students must follow: 1) no drugs, 2) no driving, and 3) no hitchhiking.

If you break those rules or do anything to purposefully behave out-of-line, you can be sent home early. Going abroad is a big deal; we want to help you represent your country well and stay safe while doing so.

The application is our way of learning about you. There are two main parts: one is personal information that you can fill out on your own or with the help of your parents; the other involves information that you’ll need to gather from people who know you, like your doctor and teachers.

We recommend giving yourself about 2-3 weeks to complete the application, but that time varies student-by-student.

Applications for our programs are accepted on a rolling basis. This means you should get started and complete your application early for the best chance of receiving the most possible aid, and for the widest option of program destinations. There are two parts to our application. Once you’ve completed the first part your Study Abroad Specialist will work with you on establishing a deadline to submit your full AFS application.

When reviewing applications, our study abroad team is looking for students who are open-minded, resilient, compassionate, and adaptable. Applicants must demonstrate these qualities in essay questions and an interview when applying for our prestigious scholarships and programs. We also expect students to reflect on and share with us the learning they experience while abroad and contribute to the AFS mission when they return home. 

AFS-USA offers a wide range of program experiences, locations, and durations. Each program will offer unique eligibility guidelines that are included within our program pages. Program eligibility ranges from country to country, but basic requirements include age, GPA, medical prescriptions, or medical histories and conditions. Our overseas partners will evaluate your application while keeping in mind their own cultural realities – visit our program pages for specific eligibility requirements by country.

Based on differences in culture, strict government regulation of medications, and other local customs, it has been our experience that not all of our international AFS partners are able to support students with certain diagnoses, including but not limited to, severe allergies, strict dietary restrictions, ADD/ADHD, and those currently taking or who have taken psychotropic medications and/or received counseling for mental/psychological issues within the past year. If this applies to you, please get in touch with an AFS Study Abroad Specialist early so that we can determine the right experience for you.

Different programs are right for different people. For example, you may need prior language experience or a higher GPA for some school-based programs, while for others there won’t be any academic or language skills requirements. You can find eligibility requirements on each program’s page. Across the board, AFS experiences are designed for students who are physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, open-minded and flexible, and willing and able to try new things.

As a global organization, AFS-USA is committed to supporting non-US citizens on our programs. As non-US citizens require special processes to enter, remain, and exit the countries our programs operate in, AFS will support these students to the best of our ability. Our staff will review your citizenship status and direct you to great program options abroad. Learn more.

Language proficiency describes one’s ability to use language to accomplish real-world tasks in a variety of settings, topics, and audiences. A language proficiency test provides a verified measurement of this ability. 

For many of our study abroad programs, AFS includes the widely recognized ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL) test to help measure our participants’ language proficiency and growth. Learn more here.

Maybe, but we can’t guarantee it since it’s ultimately up to your U.S. high school to decide. We suggest talking with your teachers and guidance counselors as early as possible, so that you can all do your best to fit an international experience into your high school plans. We recommend following these guidelines, and keeping records of the classes you take while abroad to show your school after you return. While we’re happy to talk you through the process, AFS can’t work directly with your school in the U.S. or abroad to ensure credit.

No matter which program you go on, you’ll definitely need a passport. In fact, you’ll need to have one in order to secure your spot on most programs, so we recommend taking care of it sooner than later since it can take 6-8 weeks to arrive. Explore the answers to all of your Visa FAQs.

The other document you may need is a visa. A visa is a stamp or document placed in your passport that allows you to enter and live temporarily in your host country. It’s required for all year and semester programs, and some summer programs. It is your responsibility to obtain your visa, but we’ll help you through the process. We recognize that obtaining a visa can be time consuming, but please do not begin applying for your visa until you are notified by AFS.

A passport costs about $135, and a visa can range anywhere from zero to $1,000. We’re happy to help you find countries with less expensive visas if that’s an issue for you.

AFS-USA welcomes all students to explore our programs, and we are committed to working with you and your family to find the experience that’s right for you. For more info, explore our LGBTQ+ Frequently Asked Questions.

Sometimes summer program participants ask if it is possible for them to remain in country beyond the program period. We generally allow this as long as the following conditions are met:

• The hosting partner agrees to the program release.
• Your family is able to coordinate and book alternative return travel. The return ticket provided by AFS-USA will be forfeited.
• A Parent/Guardian will need to meet the participant in person at an identified pickup time and location.
• Arrangements for the Program Release must be finalized at least 3 weeks prior to program departure.

More details can be provided by your Study Abroad Specialist. If this is of interest, please speak with them early in your application process. This process is specifically for Short Summer (2-8 week) programs. An alternative process is required for our Academic Year and Semester participants.