The AFS Exchange

You’ve probably seen it all over AFS-USA’s social media: the slogan "Pass Peace Forward." But what does that actually look like in practice? This month, we’re sharing a story from Meika, an exchange student from Hiroshima, Japan. Driven by curiosity, Meika chose to spend her year abroad in the United States- the very country that played a tragic role in her hometown’s history. In this ep...

This month, we’re sharing a story from a host family in California whose introduction to AFS began back in the 1970s. Matt Lewis met a young AFSer from Belgium named Geert back in 1973, sparking a lifelong friendship and a major ripple effect. From road trips in high school to Matt acting as a casual crew member on tour with Geert’s band in the South of France years later, this one connection chan...

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange! We are continuing our series highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our dedicated volunteers. While the host family provides the home and the school provides the education, the liaison provides the bridge. This unique role is the “third party” support system that ensures communication stays clear, expectations are met, and cultural hurdles are cl...

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange! We are continuing our series highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our dedicated volunteers.  In order for a student to get from their home country to their host community, AFS depends on the support of Travel Volunteers who guide students through bustling airports, navigate tight layovers, and step in to help when a connection is missed. In thi...

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange! We are continuing our series highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our dedicated volunteers. In this episode, we’re following up on our conversation about the Chapter Leadership Summit in Spain- but this time, from an extra international perspective. We’re joined by Alessandro, a volunteer leader from Italy who speaks the exact same AFS language...

Welcome back for Season 6! We are spending the first few episodes of this season highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our incredible volunteers. In this premiere episode, we’re heading to Spain to follow two AFS-USA volunteers who attended the 2025 International Volunteer Summit in Málaga, Spain. We’ll hear about their unique backgrounds, the challenges of leading teams in the...

Season 6 of The AFS Exchange begins February 2026! More from AFS-USA: 🏠 Host a Student | ✈️ Study Abroad | 🤝 Volunteer | 🏫 For Educators | 📧 Contact the Show | 🎧 Collections

In the Season 5 finale of The AFS Exchange, we tackle the reality of exchange head-on: the moments of challenge that define true growth. Hear firsthand stories from former AFS students who successfully navigated difficult situations, including communication barriers, integrating into school life, and coping with loss. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support and Learning Team join us to...

It's time to celebrate the heartbeat of our organization- our volunteers! In this special bonus episode, we proudly honor the six recipients of the 2025 AFS-USA Volunteer Awards. You'll hear interviews with each winner, conducted by a member of AFS-USA's Volunteer Recognition Committee. Tune in to discover the dedication and passion recognized in this year's awards season. This...

If the excitement of arrival is starting to fade and everyday life feels a little harder, this episode is for you. Hear real advice from last year’s AFS students on making friends, setting realistic goals, and handling challenges like school, homesickness, and family dynamics. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support & Learning Team share their insights and actionable guidance to hel...

Can you really form a strong bond with an exchange student in just a few months? Sarah and Mikayla Engel-Streicher, a couple from Wisconsin, would say yes. They've welcomed three students into their home for a single semester each, proving you don't need a full year to bring the world home. We'll hear how their short-term experience connected them more to their local community and h...

AFS-USA's Mission- It's More Important Now Than Ever! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jenny Kissinger Messner, an AFS alumna who believes that our mission is more important now than ever. Her journey from student to major donor shows the lifelong impact of student exchange. We'll hear about her transformative year abroad in Brazil in 1970, how that experience shaped her...

Follow along with Michael, a first-time host dad, as he recounts his year hosting an exchange student from Germany. From the initial decision to host and the anticipation leading up to his student's arrival, to how Michael's daily routine shifted, you'll hear how opening his home led him to become much more involved in his local New Jersey community and learning more about himself....

In July 2023, eleven strangers met for the first time in an airport hotel lobby outside JFK. Just three weeks later, they had lived a lifetime of adventures. In this episode, we're taking you to Kenya for a three-week Global Prep program focused on wildlife conservation and Maasai culture. But as this group of U.S. students journeyed across the country, they found something more: an unexpecte...

Studying abroad is an incredible adventure, but it can sometimes feel a little isolating. So, how do you actually find your community when you're miles from home? This month, we explore various ways AFSers have connected beyond the classroom. We hear from Megan, Eva, and Esha, who share their personal stories of finding community, including in some unexpected places. From a German class in Pa...

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange for the second part of our Founders' Day celebration! After covering the "when" and "what" of AFS's start in WWI in our last episode, we're now diving into the "who"- the people who were there, the early volunteer drivers.  Join us as we talk with historian Thomas Fife and get a glimpse into the lives of four of these in...

For this year's AFS Founders' Day, observed on April 7th, we delve into the remarkable origins of the organization during World War I. This episode recounts the story of the American Field Service, where young American volunteers courageously served as ambulance drivers, years before the US even officially entered the war. The journey from those early days to the AFS we know now is fille...

Season 5 kicks off with stories of self-discovery through American school activities. Ayya from Indonesia explores theater, Sama from Egypt embarks on a creative journey, and Danisa from South Africa takes on cheerleading. From coast to coast, these students embrace new challenges, build skills, and form lasting relationships. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of international exchan...

In this Season 4 finale, we celebrate the powerful connections formed between host families and exchange students. Hear inspiring stories from past episodes: Jutta learns about Senegalese culture from her host daughter, Diarra; Justin and Chad reflect on the positive impact hosting has had on their son; Kakeru, inspired by his own host mom, hopes to pass his positive experience along and become a...

Join me at the 2024 AFS-USA Summit in Dallas, Texas- a weekend packed with connection, inspiration, and a few unexpected surprises. This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, Changing Lives , brought together volunteers, host families, and staff from across the country to share ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and recharge around the AFS mission.  From the buzzing Marketplace and heartwarming awa...

In this episode, we hear from four recent returnees who participated in AFS programs in France, Japan, Spain, and the Czech Republic. We begin with a deeper conversation with Selina, who spent a transformative summer in France with AFS after feeling the need for a change following the isolation of the COVID lockdown. Her experience abroad motivated her to continue studying internationally, leading...

Ever wondered what it's like to have a new brother every year? Justin and Chad, a couple from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can tell you! They've been hosting AFS students for years, and their 3-year-old son, Everett, has grown up with a global family. In this episode, they share stories about the impact of hosting on their lives and the lasting bonds they've formed with their international...

“And that kind of moment of breakthrough has been helping me for the rest of my life, right? Whenever I face any difficulty or struggles, I know there's a way to break through by my own efforts. And there are things that I can control.” In this episode, we’re going to talk about the power of turning things around- pushing through difficult experiences, realizing when you’re low, and pulling y...

Keith and Doug Byron, a couple from Indiana, welcomed a Danish student into their home in 2022-2023. In this episode, the two of them discuss their initial motivations for hosting, their Danish host son's deep dive into American culture, their family's love of music and video games, and the rewarding connections made with both their student and the community.  This might sound like a typ...

In this episode of The AFS Exchange, we share the incredible story of Reed Davis and Ketsi Meka, two friends separated by continents and decades. Ketsi, from South Africa, lived with Reed’s family in Iowa during 1982-83. After Ketsi returned to Apartheid South Africa, they lost touch despite Reed’s repeated efforts to reconnect. Thirty years later, Reed headed to South Africa for work and ramped u...