My AFS Experience: Hosting, Studying Abroad, and Volunteering
My name is Tori and I’m a current AFS Volunteer, Returnee from Japan (2010), and past host sister. I’m here…
Volunteer Articles
Women Volunteers and Suffragettes in WWI
The early twentieth century brought forth opportunities for women beyond the home front: work, education, social reform, and political engagement. While many conservative Americans fought against this change in gender roles and believed women needed to be home, World War I served as a catalyst for volunteerism and ultimately, women’s suffrage.
One year later: Local Projects from AFS-USA’s LIFT Workshop
How does AFS-USA, a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization with more than 70 years of experience, continue to improve the ways that…
Congratulations to AFS-USA’s 2019 Volunteer Recognition Awardees!
November 21, 2019—A half dozen volunteers received awards and honors during a Friday evening ceremony at the AFS-USA Volunteer Summit…
New Research Report, “Creating Global Citizens: The AFS Effect”
NEW YORK, N.Y., November 6, 2019—AFS released a large-scale research report on Tuesday, focused on the impact that AFS exchanges…
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.
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…
AFS Volunteer Awards Season is Here!
We are excited to announce the 2016 AFS Volunteer Awards! Once every year, a winner for each award is chosen…
5 Ways You Can Practice Hometown Diplomacy
Hometown Diplomacy is the process through which individual citizens facilitate lasting, positive relationships with citizens of other countries through sharing…
Spotlight On: Janne Harrelson and Patti Rounsevell
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? Patti is an AFS returnee (Costa Rica,…
Spotlight On: Stephanie Davidson
Meet Stephanie Davidson of Helotes, Texas. She’s an AFS returnee who participated in two AFS Summer Study Abroad programs: A…
Spotlight On: Danielle Tye
Meet Danielle Tye…This is her 11th year volunteering with AFS! When people ask what her hobbies are, she always says…
Spotlight On: Jill Goldsmith
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was involved in the AFS club…
Spotlight On: Paula McElroy
Meet Paula McElroy, of Silverwood Michigan. She’s a high school teacher, history buff, wife and parent who has made cultural…
Spotlight On: Bob Rushing
Meet Bob Rushing of Silverspring, Maryland. He’s a long-time AFSer who has worn numerous hats in the organization, from host…
Spotlight On: Sandra Caporossi
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter was in eighth grade and…
Spotlight On: Eric Mattlin
Meet Eric Mattlin of Chicago. A relative newcomer to AFS, Eric is an active member of the Greater Chicago team…
Spotlight On: Ann Sweet
Meet Ann Sweet of Williamsville, New York. Her energy for AFS is limitless. She has hosted 16 AFS students, been…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Broda
Meet Kathleen Broda. She first became aware of AFS in 7th grade from her English teacher whose son was studying…
Spotlight On: Christy Hedrick
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? In the late summer of 2012 a…
Spotlight On: Carol McCaulley
Meet Carol McCaulley of California’s Silver and Gold Team. In her countless years as an AFS volunteer, she has served…
Global Competency in Action: An AFS-USA Volunteer Fights Ebola in West Africa
March 3, 2015 – When Dr. Coleen Cunningham isn’t busy being a mother to her five children, an accomplished infectious disease…
Spotlight On: Hannah Brusewitz
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I learned about AFS when I was…
Spotlight On: Allison Case Barton
Allison was enthralled by the AFS stories of her uncle who spent a year in Spain in the early 60s…
Spotlight On: Alison Colaluca
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I grew up fifteen minutes away from…
True Stories of Outstanding Volunteers
April 16, 2015 – AFS has been a volunteer-driven organization for nearly 70 years. Volunteerism is at the core of…
Spotlight On: Lana Davis Boyle
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I had a friend from Australia with…
Spotlight On: Michelle Brenner
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter’s dance teacher is a long…
Spotlight On: Ruth Blackstock
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My friend, Agnes Matheson’s daughter, Marina, was…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Collins
For the month of March we are proud to feature Kathy Collins of the Lake Superior Team in our Volunteer…
Spotlight On: Janet Gaudet
Janet Gaudet became involved with the Greater Illinois Team after getting to know the hosted student of a close friend.…
How Local Volunteers Solidify New Global Friendships
August 4, 2015 – What does a small American town on the Oregon coast have to do with international diplomacy, anyway?…
Spotlight On: Stassa & Jay Phillips
This month we are excited to be spotlighting an AFS COUPLE! Jay and Stassa Phillips of the Ohio River Valley…
Spotlight On: Christine McGarvey
Meet Christine McGarvey of the Baltimore Team. She has been a host mom, a liaison, a hosting coordinator and a…
Spotlight On: Rio Orticio
Rio Orticio knows first-hand what it is like to come to a different country to study. Because of his experiences…
Spotlight On: Katherine Weber
This month AFS USA is pleased to spotlight Katherine (Kate) Weber of the Michigan Team. Kate is a relative newcomer…
Spotlight On: Nancy Bridges
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? A daughter of friends had been an…
Spotlight On: Marie Tonus
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My son David was an alternate to…
Spotlight On: Kristin Svec
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I heard about AFS as a teenager…
Spotlight On: Marla Gamble
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I became aware or AFS as a…
Spotlight On: Jean Goecks
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? My daughter was a semi finalist for…
Spotlight On: Lynn Adams
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was a teacher at Washburn High…
Spotlight On: Rio Orticio
Rio Orticio knows first-hand what it is like to come to a different country to study. Because of his experiences…
Spotlight On: Kathleen Birkhimer
How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved? I was an exchange student on the…
National Volunteer Week brings worlds together in Charlotte
April 30, 2018 — Charlotte, NC– At the tail end of Charlotte’s Do Good Week (National Volunteer Week), 14 exchange…
Volunteer Appreciation Month: Rachael (Newer Volunteer)
For Volunteer Appreciation Month, AFS GPS would like to spotlight and thank one of our outstanding volunteers! Rachael is new…
Volunteer Appreciation Month: Kodee (Returnee Volunteer)
We have many wonderful volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to AFS. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, AFS…
Announcing the Winners of the 2017-2018 Project: Change Contest
We’re happy to announce the winners of the 2017 AFS Project: Change contest! Five young change-makers will be traveling to…
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…
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…
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…