Meet Utsho from Bangladesh
Ehtesam Utsho from Bangladesh, YES Student. Hosted in Portland, Oregon. Attending Benson Poly Tech High School. Utsho is an amazing…
Article Archive
Alumni Celebration in Minneapolis Celebrates the “Second Century” of AFS-USA
AFS Ecuador Director, Juan Rodriguez, with Karen Lindquist, his host sister during his AFS exchange year to the US. October…
Exchange Students in Woodbury
By Cyd Haynes Woodbury MagazineAmerica is a melting pot, so we enjoy the cultural richness of immigrants from many countries,…
Students discover schools teach more than the 3 R’s
by Kristine Goodrich White Bear PressA variety of elective choices, lunch at school and sports and clubs after school are…
AFS Students from Switzerland Thrive in Florida
May 10, 2012 — Two AFS Students from Switzerland explain their experiences as exchange students in Central Florida.By Julie Smith…
Jim Walker Joins AFS-USA’s Board of Directors
Pictured: Jim Walker (center) with two participants of the AFS Comparative Religion Program to Turkey, Summer, 2013. February 8, 2019…
Whanganui High School
Whanganui High School is a modern, co-educational school of approximately 1,500 students and over 160 staff. Their International Department has…
Western Heights High School
Western Heights is a state, coeducational school with a student body of 1,550. It is Rotorua’s most popular and largest…
Whakatane High School
Unfortunately, enrollment for this school is FULL for the 2020 school year. Check out other New Zealand Global Choice schools…
Hillmorton High School
Hillmorton High School is a coeducational school with approximately 750 students, including 20 to 25 international students. With a diverse…
Papanui High School
Papanui High School is a coeducational, uniform school located in suburban Christchurch, which is ten minutes from both the city…
Te Puke High School
Te Puke High School is a semi-rural, uniform, coeducational secondary school located in the township of Te Puke, approximately 10…
Aotea College
Aotea College is a multicultural, co-educational school of 930 students, located in the beautiful Porirua Basin. The college has a…
Rangitoto College
Rangitoto College is renowned nationally and internationally for offering students a kind environment in which they can develop academically and…
10 Thank You Letter Examples from Hosted Students to their Teachers
When adjusting to a new culture, community, and school, a teacher can make all the difference in a hosted student’s…
New Zealand Travel Tips
New Zealand is a wonderland of incredibly beautiful, diverse ecosystems and geography. It’s an otherworldly, exciting destination that’s home to…
Western Springs College
Western Springs College is a co-educational, uniform school located in central Auckland. Western Springs is known for the friendliness of…
Why Summer is an Ideal Time to Study Abroad
Picture yourself strolling the cobblestone streets of Italy this summer, gelato in hand. Or, maybe you’re exploring the multifaceted beauty of Japan’s landscapes…
AFS Host Mom Nudrat Shares Her Host Family Experience
Nudrat I. is a host mom from Minnesota who is currently hosting AFS international student Saniya from India. Nudrat explains…
The 9 Best Places to Study Abroad this Summer
Summer is an exciting time to step outside of your routine and try something completely new. One way to take…
Want to make an impact this summer? These 5 volunteer abroad programs will help you do it.
5 incredible volunteer abroad programs If you’re like many high schoolers, you’ve dreamed of going abroad and seeing the world.…
Stories: The Lopez-Jones Family
“This is our second time hosting and it is such a pleasure to share with others how diverse families can…
Stories: The Pisanelli Family
“I discovered what a great parent I can be and this has motivated me to adopt a child.” –Damian Pisanelli…
5 Things To Know About Hosting Foreign Exchange Students
Hosting foreign exchange students is an amazing opportunity to form lasting personal bonds, share your culture and values, and expand…
Letters to Future Exchange Students
May, 2018 — This past mid-May, dozens of exchange students across the Carolinas spent a few hours together to consider…
Why Your Family Should Host an Italian Exchange Student
In today’s era of misleading headlines and political divisions, separating fact from fiction can be tricky, especially when it comes…
Stories: Real Host Families
“This is our second time hosting and it is such a pleasure to share with others how diverse families can…
Tara Boyce-Hofmann Appointed President of AFS-USA
An important announcement from the Chair of the AFS-USA Board of Directors, Joan B. Siegel November 28, 2018 After almost…
Celebrate Cultural Diversity this 4th of July
The 4th of July conjures classically American images: baseball, fireworks, hotdogs, Bruce Springsteen. It’s the day we celebrate the birth of…
Jenny & Beth’s Multicultural Family: “Two is better than one”
Jenny O. and Beth R. were very familiar with foreign exchange and travel– Jenny’s family hosted students three separate times…
6 Ways Studying Abroad in Italy Builds College and Career Choices
Italy is one of the most popular destinations for travelers and it’s clear why – stunning landscapes, striking art and…
What to Pack When You Go Abroad
Maybe you’re rushing to pack before your flight tomorrow and need some quick tips on how to fit your life…
What Do You Know of What You Heard
Goal: Participants will recognize the widespread use of stereotypes. Time: 20–30 minutes. Materials: Large sheets of newsprint, tape, markers, and…
Walk Apart, Walk Together
This activity is appropriate for a wide variety of ages, ranging from elementary school to adult. Since it requires no…
Understanding Your Identity
Overview: There are many factors and attributes that affect the way we identify ourselves. Elements such as our background, culture,…
The Hidden Ways in Which Culture Differs
Goal: Using the iceberg analogy, teach students to look at the hidden dimensions when comparing different cultures. Objectives: Students will…
The Effects of Nuclear Weapons
Overview: The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed the course of history and have had a significant long term…
Taking Action for the Environment
Overview: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) declared June 5 as World Environmental Day in order to create awareness on issues surrounding…
The Potato Activity
Goal: To help youth eliminate stereotypes and to recognize the uniqueness of each individual Time: 20-30 minutes Materials: A brown…
Observations vs Judgments
Overview: This lesson plan will study the concept of culture by further exploring the differences between a cultural generalization (an…
Microfinance: A Poverty-Fighting Tool
Overview: In September 2000 society’s attention was drawn to certain social and economic issues impacting us on a global scale…
I have a dream
Overview: Dr. Martin Luther King is known to many as one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights…
Generalization vs Stereotypes
Overview: The goal of this lesson to explore the concept of culture and to provide a clear understanding of culture,…
Fostering Cultural Diplomacy in the Classroom
Overview: The purpose of this activity is to expose students to the important benefits of cultural diplomacy during International Education Week,…
Exploring Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Overview: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees defines a refugee as person who “owing to a well-founded…
Exploring Islamic Traditions: Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr
Overview of Islamic Culture & Muslim Traditions Lesson Plan Each year, Muslims from across the globe take part in the…
Examining Humanitarianism
Overview: The United Nations declared August 19 as World Humanitarian Day, as a way to commemorate the 2003 bombing of the…
Examining Current Social Movements
Overview: Beth Simone Noveck, former United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer, once stated, “In the 21st Century, you have to…
Education for All #BringBackOurGirls
Overview: Several countries have banded together in order to promote gender equality in education with the goal of eradicating gender…
Exploring Cultural Values
Goal: Exploring what students consider to be typical U.S. cultural values while comparing them to their perceptions. Objectives: Students will…
Cultural Influence on Judgments
Goal: To help students understand how culture plays an integral role in how we analyze and view the world. To…
Connect the Dots
Goal: Participants will experience the fact that we often subconsciously limit our perspectives and alternatives. Time: 15–30 minutes, depending on…
Chair Keith Stock
Chair Keith Stock U.S. to Panama, 1969 Keith Stock is an international strategist and private markets investment manager in his…
Co-Chair John T. Colas
Co-Chair John T. Colas U.S. to Belgium, 1979-80 John T. Colas serves as Partner and Vice Chairman of Oliver Wyman…
Richard Engel
Richard Engel U.S. to Italy, 1990-91 Richard Engel serves as NBC News’s chief foreign correspondent. He previously served as the…
Carson Gleberman
Carson Gleberman U.S. to Switzerland, 1976 Carson Gleberman has worked for McKinsey & Company, Citibank and The Viral Hepatitis &…
Sarah Yancey
Chairperson, Sustainable Youth Ministry Team, Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church Vice-Chair, AFS Volunteer Sarah Yancey is a retired educator who taught…
Wim Wiewel
President, Lewis & Clark College Returnee – Netherlands to the U.S., 1968-69; Volunteer Wim Wiewel, who came from the Netherlands…
Peter Westort
Treasurer | Host Parent; Sending Parent; Volunteer
Jim Walker
Returnee – U.S. to Indonesia, 1987-88 Host Parent Jim Walker is an AFS Returnee from the year program to Indonesia,…
Matthew van Steenwyck
Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Longbow Technology Ventures Sending Parent Matthew van Steenwyck, known as Matt, is the Managing…
Susan Moon
Healthcare Executive in Data Analytics Returnee – U.S. to Finland, 1979-80; Host Parent Susan Moon is an AFS Returnee from…
Krishen Mehta
Senior Adviser, Tax Justice Network and Former Partner, PwC AFS Sending Parent and Returnee Krishen Mehta is a writer, teacher,…
Debra Maly
Speech Pathologist Chair of the National Council; Host Parent Debra Maly, known as Deb, is the Chair of AFS-USA’s volunteer…
Emre Evren
Senior Consultant, The Hartford Financial Services Returnee – Turkey to the U.S., 1984-85 Emre Evren joined the AFS-USA National Council…
Diana Deem
Secretary | Host Parent; Sending Parent
Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President of Trinity College | Host Parent; Sending Parent
Robert Stableski
Vice Chair | Volunteer
Marlene Baker
Chief Development, Communications, and Alumni Relations Officer Marlene Baker spent the first 25 years of her career in senior management…
Keri Dooley
Chief Government Relations and Sponsored Programs Officer
Melvin Harmon
Chief Officer of Marketing, Customer Experience, and Strategic Advancement International student exchange has been a part of Melvin Harmon’s life…
H. Jed Hepworth
Returnee – U.S. to Chile, 1968-69; Host Parent Jed Hepworth is a Returnee from the AFS year program to Chile…
Tara Boyce-Hofmann
President and Partner Director
Wendy Kuran
Returnee – U.S. to Finland, 1974-75 Wendy Kuran leads Duke University’s development efforts in China, focused on raising philanthropic funds…
6 lessons from the AFS Returnee who went to space
AFS Returnee Samantha Cristoforetti adjusts her Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. Photo Credit: NASA For many AFS participants, studying abroad…
Plump your Piggy Bank
If you don’t mind digging around for coins… As simple as it seems, finding change in your family’s couch or…
Family Matches
If your family is willing to pitch in… Even though many people may like to support you, giving money is…
Coaster for a Cause
If you are a thrill seeker… Six Flags-affiliated amusement parks will occasionally hold “Coasters for a Cause” events during the…
Create-Your-Own-A-Thon
If you are a goal setter and a go-getter… Organize a bike-a-thon, a pump iron-a-thon, a skate-a-thon, a walk-a-thon, a…
Drive-In Movie Night
If you are a movie buff… Find a place in your community to host your event. The location must have…
Shave Your Head
If you aren’t too attached to a full head of hair… Create a campaign around shaving your head (or one…
Pet Sitting
If you are good with animals… Depending on the type of pets you feel comfortable around, design a flyer that…
Doggy Dip
If you don’t mind getting your hands wet… Host a doggie (or pet) wash for people that will pay to…
Dog Walking
If you know owners who don’t have much time for their dog… Make posters to advertise so people know why…
We’ve Got Spirit. How ’bout You?
If you are bursting with school spirit… Talk to your school principal about hosting a decorating contest (i.e. lockers, classroom…
Choose your Teacher’s Hair Color
If you have a teacher who is up for anything… Choose three to five outrageous colors and find a favorite…
Valentine Balloons
If you enjoy playing Cupid… Selling helium balloons can be a great fundraiser around Valentine’s Day. Take orders 3 weeks…
Tournament Snack Bar
If you are a sports fan… Ask your school if you can run the concession stand for a tournament and…
Scrub-a-dub
If you are all about whipping up suds… Get permission from your school, church, or a local store to use…
Recycle Electronics
If you have a stash of outdated devices… Ecophones Recycling Fundraiser could pay you up to $300 per item you…
Gift Wrapping
If you have a pair of scissors and a roll of tape… Do some research to determine where you could…
Print Address Labels
If you are good with a computer… Make return address labels and sell them for a set price (i.e. $5.00-$10.00…
Work Vouchers
If you are an all-around hard worker… Sell vouchers (or books of vouchers) entitling the buyer to an hour (or…
Paper or Plastic?
If you are always bagging your family’s groceries at the store… Bagging groceries for tips at your local grocery store…
Gophering
If you are detail oriented and can juggle many tasks at the same time… Devise a plan and time table…
Colossal Clean Up
If you are a leader and can assemble an army of helpers… Contract with the management of your local fairgrounds…
Garage Sale
If you know a lot of people who need to purge some belongings… Gather and organize any unwanted items from…
Yard Work
If you like fresh-cut grass and a little dirt under your nails… After getting permission from your parents, go door-to-door…
Guest Chef
If you don’t need a sous chef to make a meal… Offer your cooking skills to families that might find…
Create a Cookbook
If you are well organized… Ask you friends, family, classmates, teachers, etc. to submit their favorite recipes to you for…