Advocates for international education attend summit in Washington D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 2019—Key voices for international exchange convened in Washington D.C. for a two-day conference led by the…
Article Archive
AFS Families create global friendships that last a lifetime
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.
AFS-USA Announces Update to Company Name on LinkedIn Page
October 16, 2019 | New York, NY — AFS-USA, Inc. has announced its plan to revise the name of its…
AFS-USA leaders are featured panelists at AFS Global Conference 2019
Pictured above: Carolyn Rehn (left) and Tara Hofmann (right) speak during a session on the Innovation Stage at the AFS…
Dealing with Reverse Culture Shock
Returning home from an exchange program always comes with some challenges, like reverse culture shock and missing host communities. Host…
Preparing College Essays and Resumes
Highlighting your Experience Many universities and employers recognize the value of a study abroad program. As you sit down to…
Returnee Spotlight: Host Sisters Reunite After 56 Years
In September 2019, staff from the AFS-USA Development and Alumni Affairs team visited Penelope B., a US Returnee originally from…
Embracing a Spanish Summer: A Reflection by AFS-USA Pride Scholar Ryan Rodriguez
Ryan Rodriguez is an AFS-USA Pride Scholar who traveled to Spain on our Global Prep program. In his personal essay,…
No Visa Required
If you are an American citizen traveling to any of these countries on an AFS Summer or Global Prep Program,…
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Jill Woerner Appointed to Head New Educational Outreach Department at AFS-USA
New York, NY – October 3, 2019—In order to help increase intercultural awareness and global competency among all US-based high…
Life in Argentina
The Essentials All Programs AFS Argentina Welcome Booklet AFS Argentina (Uruguay) Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety…
Three U.S. Department of State Student Scholarships Available for 2020-21 Summer and Academic Year Programs!
AFS-USA is happy to announce that all three scholarships funded by the U.S. Department of State are now accepting applications…
8 Inspiring Hispanic Internationalists
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting influential Hispanic internationalists who advocated for peace, civil rights, and multiculturalism,…
How Study Abroad Builds Your Skills and Resume
AFS develops active global citizens who help make the world a better place. Our study abroad programs empower young people…
5 Benefits of Hosting an International Exchange Student in Your School
Educators are always looking for ways to expose their students to new cultures and ideas. In particular, world language teacher…
Hosting with Pride: An Interview with Six-Time AFS Host Parent and Volunteer, Jerry Gulley
Jerry Gulley grew up in a small town in rural Tennessee. In high school, his best friend’s family decided to…
An Open Letter from a Thai AFSer on Hosting
Grace Madthing is an AFSer from Thailand who turned his experience as an exchange student into a passion for diplomacy…
Life in Australia
Essentials AFS Australia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper…
Life in Austria
All Programs AFS Austria Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Semester High School…
Life in Belgium-Flanders
The Essentials AFS Belgium-Flanders Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ School Expectations Arrival Information Visa…
Life in Belgium-French
The Essentials AFS Belgium-French Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language…
Life in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Essentials AFS Bosnia and Herzegovina Welcome Booklet Get to Know Bosnia and Herzegovina AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide…
Life in Brazil
The Essentials AFS Brazil Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Language…
Non-US Citizen FAQ
If you reside in the US but you are not a US citizen, there are additional procedures to follow in…
Life in Canada
The Essentials AFS Canada Welcome Booklet Program Calendar AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Digging Deeper Language Resources…
Apostilles
*Please remember that you MUST NOT REMOVE the apostille and/or staple from its attached document. Removal of either of these will destroy…
Life in Chile
The Essentials All Programs AFS Chile Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Year/Semester High School…
Music from Around the World
We’ve updated this blog to include responses from our hosted students as part of our …From Around the World series!…
Life in China
The Essentials All Programs AFS China Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School Host…
Life in Colombia
The Essentials Global Prep/Year/Semester AFS Colombia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide COVID-19 Specific Guidelines Digging Deeper Language…
Life in Costa Rica
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Costa Rica Welcome Booklet…
Life in Croatia
The Essentials AFS Croatia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging Deeper Language Resources…
Life in Czech Republic
The Essentials AFS Czech Republic Welcome Booklet Safety Tips AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information…
Life in Denmark
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Changes to Hosting Realities (COVID-19) Year High School…
Craig Wilson
Craig Wilson U.S. to United Kingdom, 1966 Craig Wilson was a journalist for more than 40 years, spending 30 years…
Julia E. Vollmers
Julia E. Vollmers Returnee – U.S. to France, 1997-98 Julia E. Vollmers is a Program Manager with the Federal Government…
Patrick S. Moon
Patrick S. Moon Ambassador (ret.); Returnee – U.S. to Brazil, 1967-1968 Patrick S. Moon is a retired Senior Foreign Service…
William R. MacIntosh
William R. MacIntosh Returnee – U.S. to Brazil, 1964-1965 Bill MacIntosh retired in 2011 after 40+ years in uniform and…
Andrea Sehl
Andrea Sehl U.S. to Switzerland, 1971-72 Andrea Sehl, known as Andie, is retired from management consulting, currently working to build…
Michael S. Schiff
Michael S. Schiff U.S. to Netherlands, 1966 Michael S. Schiff is the owner and President of Incomar Investments in Houston,…
Ambassador (ret.) Thomas B. Robertson
Ambassador (ret.) Thomas B. Robertson U.S. to Germany 1967-68 Ambassador (ret.) Thomas B. Robertson is a returnee from the AFS…
Jenny K. Messner
Jenny K. Messner U.S. to Brazil, 1970-71 With her husband Michael Messner, Jenny established the Speedwell Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship…
Life in Egypt
The Essentials All Programs AFS Egypt Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School Host…
Life in Finland
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS Finland Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ…
Life in France
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS France Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ…
Life in Germany
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Germany Welcome Booklet Host…
Life in Ghana
The Essentials All Programs AFS Ghana Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Daily Expectations Year High…
Life in Guatemala
The Essentials Global Prep AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Digging Deeper Language Resources Rosetta Stone: Spanish Duolingo (free language…
Life in Hong Kong
The Essentials AFS Hong Kong Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information…
Coming Home: An Interview with AFS Alum, Stephen Zhang (China to U.S., ’07-’08)
In high school, Stephen Zhang knew he was ready for something new. He wondered what it would be like to…
Life in Hungary
The Essentials All Programs AFS Hungary Welcome Booklet Safety Tips AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School Host…
Life in Iceland
The Essentials AFS Iceland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Arrival Information Host School FAQ Visa FAQ Icelandic…
Life in India
The Essentials All Programs AFS India Welcome Booklet AFS India Participant Handbook Safety Tips Focus on India AFS Participant Guide…
Life in Indonesia
The Essentials AFS Indonesia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa…
Life in Ireland
The Essentials All Programs Ireland Welcome Booklet for Year Programs Summer Program Welcome Information Ireland Rules & Laws AFS Participant…
Life in Italy
The Essentials All Programs AFS Italy Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School Host…
Life in Japan
The Essentials All Programs AFS Japan Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Sim Card Information (Review…
Life in Kenya
The Essentials Global Prep AFS Kenya Welcome Booklet Living with a Kenyan Host Family AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide…
Life in Latvia
The Essentials AFS Latvia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa…
Life in Mexico
The Essentials AFS Mexico Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Digging Deeper Language…
Life in Nepal
The Essentials Global Prep AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Digging Deeper Language Resources Learn 101: Nepali ilanguages: Learn Nepali …
Life in New Zealand
The Essentials AFS New Zealand Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ…
Life in Norway
The Essentials AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Visa FAQ Year High School Program AFS Norway Welcome Booklet Host School…
Life in Panama
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Panama Welcome Booklet Host…
Life in Paraguay
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year/Semester High School AFS Paraguay Welcome Booklet Host School FAQ…
Life in Peru
The Essentials AFS Peru Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa…
Life in Poland
The Essentials All Programs AFS Poland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Year High School Arrival Information Host…
Life in Portugal
The Essentials AFS Portugal Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Practical Information Survival Guide Discussion Questions for Your…
Life in Russia
The Essentials All Programs AFS Russia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School Host…
Life in Serbia
The Essentials AFS Serbia Welcome Booklet Get to Know Serbia AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School…
Life in Slovakia
The Essentials AFS Slovakia Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Host School FAQ Digging Deeper Language…
Life in Spain
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year/Semester High School AFS Spain Welcome Booklet Rules…
Life in Sweden
The Essentials AFS Sweden Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Welcome Letter Visa…
Life in Switzerland
The Essentials AFS Switzerland Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging…
Life in Thailand
The Essentials All Programs AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School AFS Thailand Welcome Booklet Host…
Life in the Netherlands
The Essentials AFS Netherlands Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Host School FAQ Arrival Information Visa FAQ Digging…
LGBTQ+ Pride Across Cultures: A Story by AFS Returnee and President’s Council Member Craig Wilson
The summer of 1966 was a long time ago, but I remember it like yesterday. Why? Because it changed my…
Life in Turkey
The Essentials All Programs AFS Turkey Welcome Booklet AFS Participant Guide AFS Medical Guide Safety Tips Year High School Host…
Quiz: Put Your Global Knowledge to the Test
What does it mean to be “globally competent”? This difficult-sounding term is becoming more and more common in both offices…
How to Fund Your Trip
Finding the money to study abroad can seem a bit overwhelming. Luckily, we offer a variety of ways to make…
How to Become Multilingual
Many of us dream of being able to effortlessly converse in many languages. Let’s face it—multilingualism is a widely desired…
Blog, LGBTQ+ Pride Articles, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Educators Articles, Alumni Articles
LGBTQ+ Pride Across Cultures: An Interview with AFS Returnee and Senior Staff, Melvin Harmon
Melvin Harmon has been involved with and dedicated to student exchange since 1980, starting with his own year abroad in…
What Makes a Global Citizen?
At first glance, global citizenship seems like an abstract concept. What does it mean to be a global citizen anyway?…
How to Choose a Study Abroad Program that’s Right for You
It can be hard to decide when, where, and how long to study abroad in high school. With 120 programs…
What it’s Like to Live with a Host Family Abroad
You might wonder why homestays are such an important part of many of our study abroad programs. The reason is…
New Sponsored Programs Coordinator
The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs announces that Santa Clarita, Calif., resident Tracy O’Garro has accepted…
Meet Our Newest Volunteer
The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to announce that Justine Tuncan, a Valencia High…
Volunteer Recognized for Leadership, Long-Term Service
The local California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to announce that Thousand Oaks, Calif., volunteer…
Exchange Student Participates in Washington, D.C. Workshop
The California Central Coast Area Team of AFS Intercultural Programs is pleased to share that Valencia High School junior and…
3 Commonly-Asked Questions About Hosting Exchange Students… Answered
This post was written by Michelle Kulas, a former and current AFS Host Parent. Here it is, the day that…
Full Scholarships to Make Your Study Abroad Dreams a Reality
Apply for a scholarship with AFS and connect with a family across the globe. If you’ve ever pictured yourself on…