The Capital Area Team has:
100 – Active AFS Volunteers
38 – Students hosted in the Capital Area Team
17 – U.S. students sent abroad for a year, semester or summer programs
We are located in the Washington DC metropolitan area. This includes Washington DC, Maryland (Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, St. Mary’s County, and Charles County, Frederick County) and Virginia (Northern Alexandria (Old Town & Del Ray), and North Arlington).
If you are interested in hosting an exchange student, contact your local Hosting Coordinator:
Alexandria/Arlington:
Karen Coda
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 703-409-1553
Anne Arundel County:
Kathleen Peddigree
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 443-822-9872
Montgomery County:
Susan Gallagher
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 301-530-1769
Washington DC:
Jim Walker
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 202-543-5837
For any area not listed above contact:
Amanda Dennen
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-800-876-2376 x3310
If you or someone you know would like to go abroad with AFS, contact Amanda Dennen.
For rewarding volunteer opportunities or general information about our local chapter, contact Jim Walker or go to our website.
Join our Facebook Group at DC AFS Online
Facebook DC AFS Online Page – Check our our Facebook page for the most up to date information on our events, discussions, and social activities.
Metrorail Pocket Guides are now available in multiple languages:
Regional Emergency Alert Systems – these systems will send text and email alerts for school closings, public transportation closings, traffic jams, weather alerts, etc.
Sightseeing & Things to Do:
What is required from an AFS Host Family?
As a host family, you will provide your student with:
Does AFS pay families to host participants?
No, host families are not paid but are rewarded with an experience of a lifetime. Host families are entitled to a tax deduction each month that an AFS student stays in their home. Your own children will also be eligible for an AFS Family Award which can be applied toward their AFS study abroad program tuition.
Must the student have his/her own room?
The student does not necessarily have to have his/her own room. The student must have his/her own bed, though. The student can share a room with a same-sex host sibling if necessary.
Does the student speak English?
Yes, all students have a demonstrated level of proficiency in English. Our students come to the U.S. with a desire to immerse themselves in the language and to improve their level of proficiency.
Must I “entertain” the student?
Students come here to experience normal daily life in the United States both at home and in school. Although we are happy to hear that some host families take students on special outings throughout the year, this is not required. The student is encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities and explore their new communities just as your own children do.
Will the host family need to cover medical expenses?
No, the host family will not be financially responsible for medical expenses for the student. The student will come with secondary medical insurance so that the student can be treated as soon as possible. There is also a 24-hour support phone number in case of any emergency.
Does AFS have rules for participants?
Yes. AFS students are expected to obey all the AFS rules and policies that are applicable while on their program. Should a student break a rule such as driving, hitchhiking, or partaking in illegal drugs, they will have their program terminated. Hosted participate are expected to obey U.S. laws. We also limit independent travel by students. Host families are provided with a Host Family Handbook which contains information on these rules at or before your pre-arrival orientation for host families.
What if problems arise?
AFS Volunteers have a lot of experience in placing participants with families and provide extensive support throughout the year. Each student and host family is assigned a Liaison to communicate with the host family and student individually at least once a month. Liaisons are the first line of support to resolve the issue.
Why does AFS conduct criminal background checks?
The safety and welfare of our participants is our highest value. The criminal background check is an integral part of the screening process that AFS-USA staff, volunteers and host family members must undergo before being affiliated with our program. While the U.S. Department of State and CSIET require that AFS conducts criminal background checks for all members of the host family home aged 18 years and older, AFS takes the additional step of requiring background checks for host family members aged 14 years and older.
The medical plan covers medical expenses due to injuries or illness, but does not cover routine sports physicals, preventative care, or pre-existing conditions.
Although not covered by the above-mentioned insurance, for those AFS students who may need a sports physical examination, two medical doctors have generously offered their services for this specific type of exam free of charge. If needed, please, contact their offices directly at the telephone numbers below:
Dr. Smita Parikh Mengers in Germantown, MD at (301) 540-7496.
Dr. Craytonia Davis in Crofton, MD at (410) 721-2273. Please, ask for Shirl or Teresa.
If your plan to travel internationally with your exchange student, the student will NOT be able to re-enter the U.S.A. unless the DC-2019 is first countersigned by AFS. You or your student must send the student’s DS-2019 (the white paper that came with the student’s J-1 Visa) to the AFS offices in New York. You should make a photocopy of the document for your own records and then send the original document along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
Rachel Brocato
AFS-USA National Headquarters
120 Wall Street, 4th. Floor
New York, NY 10005
Make sure to send the document far in advance to ensure enough time for mailing in both directions and processing.
You must also check with the embassy of the country(ies) you plan to visit to verify if the student needs a visa. As an example, Brazilian students require a visa to enter Canada.
The main responsibilities of a liaison are as follows:
There are three online training courses to be completed before you can become an AFS liaison: the Hosting and Support Affiliations (HSA) Training, the Department of State (DoS) Local Coordinator Training, and the online Liaison Training. All of the training is required for anyone who has regular contact with exchange students and host families.
Please follow the links to complete the online training at your earliest convenience. Each link will prompt you to enter your Global Link user name and password. Please make sure the volume on your computer is turned up as most of these modules have voice narration.
1) Hosting and Support Affiliations (HSA) Training: This training consists of four modules which should each take approximately 15 minutes to complete and each is followed by a short quiz of 4-5 questions which must be answered correctly:
https://usa.afsglobal.org/course/HostAndSupport
2) Department of State Certification (DoS) – Local Coordinator Training: This is a test of 30 multiple choice questions you will need to answer regarding secondary school regulations. Once you have passed the exam, you have the option of printing a copy of your Certificate of Completion. The Study Guide should provide all of the answers that are needed to pass the Certification test.
DOS Certification Test:
https://usa.afsglobal.org/course/DOSCertification
DOS Certification Study Guide:
http://www.afswiki.org/w/uploads/b/b6/DoS_Study_Guide_2012.pdf
3) Online Liaison Training: The Liaison training module is a three-part online course that takes about one hour and covers responsibilities, cultural learning, how to support students and families, and communication:
https://usa.afsglobal.org/course/Liaison
If you have any trouble with the training or if you can’t remember your Global Link username and password, please send an email to [email protected] so that we can assist you.
Below is an up-to-date list of tasks for which volunteers are currently needed. Click on each task to see a brief description and time committment required. Please, contact Jim Walker if you would like to take on any of these short assignments.
Volunteer Coordinator
Fundraising Coordinator
Publicity Coordinator
Sending (Outbound program) Coordinator
Returnee Coordinator
Sending Re-Entry Coordinator
Outbound Application Completion Volunteer
Outbound Student Orientation Coordinator
Outbound Orientation Invitations Volunteer
Outbound Orientation Registration Volunteer
Task Name: Outbound Application Completion Volunteer
Expected Outcome(s): Students finish their applications and attend upcoming AFS event
Time Commitment: 1-4 hours in evenings or weekend
Task Description:
• Call students that have begun the online application and encourage them to finish the process
• invite students to come to an upcoming AFS event in person
o give them specific details (date, time, location) of the upcoming event itself
• advise students about fundraising for tuition
• write a brief record of each telephone contact for additional follow up as needed
o did the student have any questions that was left unanswered
o does the student require additional assistance with fundraising
Task Name: Outbound Student Orientation Coordinator
Expected Outcome(s): Outbound students and parents prepare for their upcoming AFS experience
Time Commitment: 6 hours for preparation throughout the two weeks leading to the orientation, plus 6 hours on orientation day
Task Description:
• Select orientation site and date
• ensure materials are ready and available
• recruit participants and past sending parent for panel discussion
• update orientation agenda
• recruit additional volunteers to deliver orientation content
Task Name: Outbound Orientation Invitations Volunteer
Expected Outcome(s): Departing students are aware of their upcoming outbound orientation
Time Commitment: 1-4 hours in evenings or weekend (late April / early May each year)
Task Description:
• buy supplies to print and mail invitations (reimbursement is available)
• use existing template to prepare invitations to upcoming outbound orientation
• print invitations and labels
• mail invitations
• prepare and send similar invitation via email (“@afsusa.org” email address can be provided if desired)
Task Name: Outbound Orientation Registration Volunteer
Expected Outcome(s): Welcome and register participants for orientation
Time Commitment: 2.5 hours at a specific orientation event (one-time commitment)
Task Description:
• assemble orientation packets
• welcome participants as they arrive
• record attendance and submit it to the orientation coordinator
