AFS seeks host families for exchange students
Staff report
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AFS, a worldwide, nonprofit organization, is looking for families to host exchange students.
Each year, AFS-USA sends more than 1,100 U.S. students abroad, provides approximately $3 million in scholarships and financial aid, and welcomes 2,500 international high-school students who come to study in United States high schools and live with host families. More than 5,000 volunteers in the U.S. make the work of AFS possible.
By hosting an AFS exchange student, families will help build bridges of intercultural understanding at home and abroad while connecting with a young person.
“Our family hosted a wonderful student from Chile this year,” said Chris Gabrick of New Springfield. “It was a great opportunity for our family to experience the culture of her country, get to know some of the traditions, similarities and differences in our daily lives. My teenage children now have a new sister and my husband and I, an ‘adopted’ daughter. We experienced many days of laughter, some tears [from homesickness] and have many fond memories of our time together.”
Gabrick said the AFS program provides a great opportunity and experience, not only for the exchange students, but also the host families.
“It’s a wonderful chance to open your hearts and homes to kids from around the world,” Gabrick said.
Host families provide a bed and meals, share their daily lives with students, and help guide and support students as they would their own children. Families and their hosted students receive ongoing support from AFS staff and experienced, local volunteers.
For information about how to host a student, study abroad, or volunteer with AFS, contact Terri Windsor at 330-531-3070 or email her at terriwindsor@gmail.com or call AFS-USA at 800-876-2377, or visit www.afsusa.org.