Team Overview

Welcome to Your AFS Student Exchange Program of the Greater Cleveland Area (GCAT)

Greetings from our Mid-Stay Orientation!

Welcome to the AFS Student Exchange Program of the Greater Cleveland Area.  This is our team website. Our mission is to make the world a smaller place through cultural exchange. AFS international exchange student programs not only foster life-long bonds, but also provide life changing experiences for students, host families, and volunteers.  Please consider joining us in this worthwhile intercultural mission.

Where is the AFS Student Exchange for the Greater Cleveland Area Located?

The Greater Cleveland Area team serves, students, host families, and educators in and around the Greater Cleveland Area.  The map below illustrates the various communities and school systems we serve.

How are we Doing?

The Greater Cleveland Area – West team continues to grow in the number of involved volunteers as well as hosting and sending students abroad.

  • 60 Active AFS Volunteers
  • 34 Students hosted in the Greater Cleveland Area-West Team
  • 24 local high school partners
  • 7 Returnees studied abroad last year in the following countries: China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Jordan, and Russia

Open Volunteer Positions

Interested in Volunteering Opportunities?

Our Greater Cleveland Team offers several opportunities for individuals looking to donate time or resources toward the success of our area and the advancement of our mission. If you have 10 hours a month or 10 hours a year to spare, we have room for you. We are continuously looking for individuals, families or groups that have something to give.

Returnee Coordinator:  Returnee Coordinators are registered AFS volunteers who are liaisons for recent returnees in their AFS Team. Returnee Coordinators share local volunteer opportunities with returnees, organize informal monthly returnee meet-ups, and coordinate or support Welcome Home Events. Returnee Coordinators develop the skills to communicate effectively with returnees of all ages.  For additional information on this volunteer opportunity, please select this section heading.

Student/Family Liaison: Liaisons work as a link between the hosted student, the host family, and the host school. The liaison is available for advice (support) on adjusting to various situations that may arise during the exchange experience and as a resource for AFS policy and procedure adherence.  For additional information on this volunteer opportunity, please select this section heading.

Sending Interviewer: We are constantly looking for volunteers interested in talking with our prospective students and their families to ensure they have the necessary information about the exchange process and to make sure they are the right candidates for an AFS experience.  For additional information on this volunteer opportunity, please select this section heading.

Host Family Interviewer: Similar to that of a sending interviewer, the host family interviewer conducts in-home interviews of potential families applying to host our international students. For additional information on this volunteer opportunity, please select this section heading.

Orientation Volunteer: From leading small groups of students and planning orientation sessions, to cooking and cleaning, it takes a small army to run a successful orientation for our students, families, and volunteers.  For additional information on this volunteer opportunity, please select this section heading.

Liaison:  The AFS Liaison is a volunteer identified as the primary contact for an AFS participant for the duration of their program. As such, the Liaison has a role that is extremely important in maintaining the communication link between an AFS participant and the AFS organization.

Become a Volunteer!

If you are interested in getting involved, please visit AFS’s Volunteer page and explore the opportunities.

AFS Local & National Scholarships

Contact our Area Team

​If you are interested in getting involved in any way, please contact:

Christina Kowalski | Team Development Specialist

[email protected]

Calendar of Events

Photos

Greater Cleveland Team