These hosting-themed episodes of The AFS Exchange podcast offer a firsthand look into the lives of host families who welcome international exchange students. Through their stories and insights, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an AFS host parent—and the life-changing impact it can have on everyone involved.
Why Host? “Per Amore.”
Matt Lewis met a young AFSer from Belgium named Geert back in 1973, sparking a lifelong friendship and a major ripple effect. From road trips in high school to Matt acting as a casual groupie on tour with Geert’s band in the South of France years later, this one connection changed everything. Decades after that initial meeting, it inspired Matt and his wife, Wendy, to open up their own doors as AFS host parents and volunteers in Southern California.
In this episode, we share Matt’s memories of Geert and the backstory that inspired their family to host, before jumping into the present day to hear from both Matt and Wendy about their own hosting adventures with their students from Germany and Italy. As you’ll hear, hosting gave them a brand-new family on the other side of the planet – and connections that have taught them so much.
The Semester Effect
Can you really form a strong bond with an exchange student in just a few months? Sarah and Mikayla Engel-Streicher, a couple from Wisconsin, would say yes. They’ve welcomed three students into their home for a single semester each, proving you don’t need a full year to bring the world home. We’ll hear how their short-term experience connected them more to their local community and how those relationships with their students from Austria, Germany, and Belgium are still going strong years later. You’ll also hear directly from two of their students, who share what that time in Wisconsin meant to them.
Their story shows that you can get the full impact of AFS even if you only host for a few months. We are always looking for both semester families and Welcome Families, who bring students in at the very beginning of their program. We hope this story encourages you to get involved!
Hosting an Exchange Student: Insights from Host Siblings and Families
Hosting an exchange student can be a life-changing experience for families, especially those with children, by fostering patience, compassion, and curiosity. In this episode, we hear from host families and siblings who share how connecting with students from other cultures has shaped their lives. Stories include two fathers and their son reflecting on hosting a student from Germany, a former AFS student from Norway recalling his time as a host brother, and an American teen sharing what it was like growing up with multiple exchange siblings.
A Dynamic Duo: Mert and Ann's AFS Journey
Mert Özer from Türkiye and his host mom Ann Ford from New Jersey are halfway through their AFS exchange year, bonding over music and life with two energetic dogs. Though Mert is blind and Ann has a hearing impairment, their differences have only strengthened their connection. In this episode, Mert shares his exciting experiences in the U.S.—from dancing and living with dogs to attending shows at Madison Square Garden. Mert is a participant on the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES Program) which partners with Mobility International USA (MIUSA) to support exchange students living with disabilities.
Host Sibling Stories
Living with host siblings can add a meaningful dimension to the exchange experience, creating connections that open hearts and minds on both sides. In this episode, we hear from Erika from Norway and her host sister Jessica in Ohio, as well as former host sister Janne Debes, who remains close with her Japanese host sister after more than 50 years—showing how these relationships can build lifelong bonds and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
Meet the Hummels: AFS Host Family and TikTok Sensation!
The Hummel family has found a creative way to share their host parent journey—with over 125,000 TikTok followers on @Josiewhite201, they showcase the joys of hosting AFS exchange students through funny, heartwarming clips. In this episode, Joselyn and Devin Hummel reflect on hosting two students (with a third on the way), the lessons they’ve learned, and how their social media presence has helped spread the value of intercultural exchange to a wide audience.
From Senegal to Seattle: One AFSer's Journey in the Pacific Northwest
March is Host Family Appreciation Month at AFS-USA, and we’re celebrating with a special episode featuring Jutta and her host daughter Diarra from Senegal. Living in Seattle, Diarra is enjoying a culture-rich year with the Mackensen-von Stieglitz family—trying new activities, learning German phrases, and bonding over shared traditions. Hear about her growth and Jutta’s reflections on their multicultural journey. A big thank you to all AFS host families—past, present, and future!
Keith, Doug, and their Danish Host Son
Keith and Doug Byron, a couple from Indiana, hosted a Danish student during the 2022–2023 school year and share how music, video games, and cultural exchange created lasting bonds. While their story reflects the typical joys of hosting, it also highlights that all types of families—including same-sex couples—can provide welcoming homes for AFS students. Last year, 39 same-sex couples hosted with AFS-USA.