What it’s Like to Host an Exchange Student from the Middle East
For James and Karen Graham, hosting an international exchange student with AFS has been a way to explore new cultures…
Host Family Articles
3 Commonly-Asked Questions About Hosting Exchange Students…Answered!
This post was written by Michelle Kulas, an AFS Host Parent. Here it is, the day that my family has…
20 Fun Activities for you and your Exchange Student
Whether you’re hosting a high school exchange student or your relatives from abroad are visiting, these quintessential American activities are…
AFS Welcome Families make a world of difference
What is a welcome family? A welcome family provides a home and a warm welcome for a student for approximately…
How hosting an exchange student kept me sane after study abroad
AFS/YES Abroad exchange student, Carly, during her study abroad year in Indonesia. Hosting an AFS exchange student from Germany has…
Words of Wisdom from 2017-2018 AFS Exchange Students
May 2018 — This past mid-May, dozens of exchange students across the Carolinas spent a few hours together to consider…
One family says “Welcome back!” to their AFS Exchange Student
The Dordal/Boyd family from Olympia, Washington was excited to reunite with their former exchange student, Gamze from Turkey. Despite the…
How to Enrich Your Family by Hosting
After a friend of theirs decided to host an AFS Exchange Student, Margaret and Matthew C. from Michigan were curious…
Exchange student leaves behind legacy in Wisconsin
Moving to an American town 6,000 miles from home might leave a teenager shy or timid. But not Maryse, an…
Movies from Around the World
For the newest installment in our…From Around the World series, we delve into movies recommended by our hosted students from…
TV Shows from Around the World
For the next post in our…From Around the World series, we explore favorite TV shows recommended by our recent hosted…
How one Florida dad gained another daughter
Of his time with his current exchange student, Adriana from Germany, Chris recalls making "20 million memories, the greatest of which is life."
Bringing the world into your home: The unexpected effects of hosting an exchange student
An AFS Host Mom discusses how she and her family spread peace through understanding.
A Lifetime of Intercultural Exchange
Hosting an exchange student does more than impact your family's year; It can alter the course of your lives forever.
A host sister’s perspective – Gaining a sister and an open mind
My family's experience hosting a foreign exchange student has helped shape who I am today.
Far Fewer than Six Degrees of Separation
On a trip to Italy, U.S. Host Parents Gayle and Randy discover what a small world it can be when you're part of the AFS community.
Welcoming a Host Daughter, Gaining a Friend: An Interview with Emily Humphrey
Emily Humphrey shares the heartwarming story of her relationship with her host daughter Lulu, the power of the #AFSEffect, and the value of intercultural learning.
What it’s Like to Host an Exchange Student
Hosting an AFS Exchange Student opens your family to the world! We provide a glimpse into what it's like, answers to common questions, and what we do to support you.
10 Thank Yous from Hosted Students to their Teachers
We gave our hosted students the chance to thank their teachers for making them feel welcome in their classrooms and chose ten of our favorite messages.
5 things you always wanted to know about hosting an exchange student
Hosting an exchange student is an amazing opportunity to form lasting personal bonds, share your culture and values, and expand…
AFS Host Mom Nudrat Shares Her Experience Hosting an International Student
Nudrat I. from Minnesota explains her reasons for hosting and how sharing the year with an exchange student from India has impacted her family.
Global family; lifetime of hosting starts with “Welcome”
We have gotten to know many wonderful young people, families and volunteers through our affiliations with AFS. Looking forward to traveling and visiting a lot of the young people.
An Interview with AFS Host Parent, Sheri Belton-Gonzalez
Sheri is a shining example of a global citizen with an enthusiasm for intercultural exchange. A study abroad student herself,…
“What culture?” – Why rural areas are perfect for cultural exchange
Rural areas are ideal places to experience cultural exchange, from small-town high school spirit to traditional folk cultures, tightknit communities, and more!
AFS-USA Exchange Students featured in the Baltimore Sun
December 23, 2019 – On Monday, the Baltimore Sun published an article about AFS Exchange Students living with host families…
Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Volunteer Articles, Educators Articles, Alumni Articles
Everyday Ambassadors: Public Diplomacy and Why It Matters
When we think of international diplomacy, we might imagine heads of state at official meetings, but in fact everyone can (and should) engage in diplomacy.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Blog, Study Abroad Articles, Host Family Articles, Volunteer Articles, Educators Articles, Impact Articles, Alumni Articles
My Multigenerational AFS Family
It’s 2018 and I’m sitting in my grandmother’s sunny Ohio kitchen. We just went to two estate sales and are…
Say “Yes!” to Hosting: The Lounibos Family
The AFS 2018 Reel Life Winners, The Lounibos Family, share their thoughts on how Lison, their host daughter, changed their lives!
Welcome, World! Hosting Foreign Exchange Students
Thirteen Greater Charlotte families welcomed a new son or daughter this week into their homes. Not babies, however. They are…
5 Reasons Being an Older Host Sister is the Best
My family made the decision to host an AFS student of our own for the very first time. I'd like to share a few reasons why being an older host sister is the best!
AFS Exchange Student Nicolette Shares Her Message for Peace
Nicolette is an AFS Exchange Student from South Africa who is spending the school year with a host family in…
AFS families create global friendships that last a lifetime
It all started in 1962, with a phone call to the Rayner family. Someone from their local high school in…
AFS Exchange Student Reflects on Her Year in North Carolina
In October 2017, Deniz Kaarayan, a former AFS international exchange student from Turkey, flew to Chapel Hill on her way…
My study abroad story: People welcomed me with an open heart
Hello! My name is Aqsa and I currently live in the Pacific Northwest as an AFS Exchange Student. I came…
How you can enrich your family life this fall
Becoming “mom” and “dad” to an exchange student After a friend of theirs decided to host an AFS Exchange Student,…
One family says “welcome back!” to their AFS student
The Dordal/Boyd family from Olympia, Washington was excited to reunite this summer with their former exchange student, Gamze from Turkey.…
One host mom shares the value of seeing through another person’s eyes
Over the past few years, Deb C. and her family have enjoyed broadening their horizons by welcoming AFS high school exchange students into their home.
From Ghana to California: A Year of Precious Moments
From Ghana to California: A Year of Precious Moments
5 Reasons Families Love to Host Exchange Students
We’ve taken 70 years of host family wisdom and bottled it down to the 5 big reasons why they love hosting exchange students.
6 Global Recipes to Spice up Your Social Distancing
Just because you can’t get together with your friends and neighbors, doesn’t mean you can’t try new recipes! We’ve picked…
Returnee Spotlight: Maddy Keating
November 7, 2016 – Maddy K. spent her AFS year in Germany as a recipient of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship funded…
Easy ways to accommodate your gluten-free exchange student
While food culture and eating habits are different around the world, people everywhere love to enjoy a good meal. When…
What It’s Like to Host an Exchange Student from the Middle East
For James and Karen Graham, hosting an international exchange student with AFS has been a way to explore new cultures…