What iPhones and hoodies can teach us about cultural understanding
How cultural understanding and global competency play a central role in the modern world Every day the world is becoming…
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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…
Making the world your home
The following blog post was written by Rebecca A. Eckland, an AFS Returnee who studied abroad in France in 1999. Today,…
6 study abroad photos you can’t go home without
When you go abroad, you have the chance to make new friends, develop unique cultural insights, and see the world…
Celebrity quotes about travel to inspire your next trip
Did you know that before starring in films like The Royal Tenenbaums and Iron Man, a 15-year-old Gwyneth Paltrow lived with a host…
8 things I love about Ghana
Wondering what makes Ghanaian culture unique from an American perspective? We’re just scratching the surface, but these observations will give…
Trinity College President, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Joins the Board of AFS-USA
September 1, 2017 | New York, NY – Trinity College’s 22nd President, Joanne Berger-Sweeney, has joined the Board of Directors of…
The Great Benefits of A Gap Year
The White House recently announced that Malia Obama will be attending Harvard University but has decided to take a gap year before…
4 French Cheeses to Know: Global Taste Test
France’s world-famous cuisine makes it a dream destination for anyone with taste buds and an appetite. In particular, the French…
6 Steps to Promote Intercultural Learning in Your Classroom
Milton Bennet, from the Intercultural Research Development Institute defines intercultural learning as an “area of research, study and application of…
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.…
Elijah’s Adventures in Japan
Elijah documents his experiences traveling with his family and AFS on his popular YouTube channel, EliNation. Elijah Knorpp is not your…
Joan Bowman Siegel is Elected Board Chair of AFS-USA
July 18, 2017 | New York, NY – AFS-USA is pleased to announce the election of Joan Bowman Siegel, an…
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.
Norwegian father & son attend Myers Park HS 33 years apart
June, 2017 — Charlotte, NC — Myers Park High School has been hosting exchange students for over 33 years. How do…
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: Helene Bee
December 9, 2016 – Helene B. spent her AFS year in Indonesia as a recipient of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and…
Advice from Maggie: Being a global citizen after exchange
November 29, 2016 – Returnee and AFS-USA Intern, Maggie (pictured below) shares her advice… Advice from Maggie: Being an active global…
Returnee Spotlight: Nico B.
November 7, 2016 – Nico B. spent the 2012 -2013 academic year in Egypt with AFS and participated in the 2015…
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…
Advice from Maggie: Keeping Up With Your Host Language
October 13, 2016 – Returnee and AFS-USA intern, Maggie V. (pictured below, right) shares her advice… As all of us AFS…
9 study abroad tips for students and parents
When you’re curious about traveling the world, it’s natural to feel excited…and not altogether prepared. Check out these words of…
7 reasons why Iguazu Falls is more than just a waterfall
Iguazu Falls is a breathtaking waterfall located on the border of Argentina and Brazil. It’s a popular tourist destination, but…
Returnee Spotlight on: Dana Buzzelli
September 21, 2016 – Dana Buzzelli is an alumna of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program, 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 I learned from volunteering with refugees
Former AFS Study Abroad Specialist Hillary Weinberger shares her experience on her adventures with AFS students in Hungary. I’ve always…
These 11 things will make you dream of Spain
At some point, we’ve all had our imaginations stirred by Spanish culture. From the intricate patterns of brightly-colored mosaics to…
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…
The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I, 1914-1919 Curriculum
April 25, 2016 – AFS is proud to announce the launch of The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I, 1914-1919, a…
When life abroad becomes your new “normal”
The following is an excerpt from the student blog, Travels through Turkey. Its author, Kathryn, is a recipient of the Kennedy-Luger Youth…
In Japan, fashion offers an opportunity for self-expression
The fashion scene in Japan is vibrant and unique. This makes for a dynamic blend of styles, especially in the…
6 ways to get your hands dirty volunteering in Costa Rica
It’s easy to see why everyone’s interested in sustainable agriculture these days. By adopting new farming practices that focus on…
5 of Argentina’s Coolest Cultural Exports
Certain things are so good they need to be shared with the world. Sometimes they spread like wildfire. Other times,…
Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Value of Service Learning
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is known to many as one of the most influential leaders of the 1960s Civil Rights…
5 ways Chile satisfies the soul
With its characteristically warm people, complex and beautiful landscapes, savory cuisine, and rich cultural traditions, Chile can make you feel…
5 ways to be a fundraising superstar
If you need extra funds to study abroad, but have doubts about your ability to personally fundraise, KEEP READING. We’re…
My Paraguayan Prom
On November 30th, my Paraguayan classmates and I had our Prom/Graduation Ceremony! It’s really the polar opposite of Prom in…