The AFS Exchange

Welcoming exchange students into your classroom can benefit the entire school community! In this episode we hear from AFS students in Indiana and Washington. They discuss their experiences as US high school students: activities they’ve been involved in, how things are different from home, and the positive impact of supportive teachers.   We also get the perspective of the teachers who work with th...

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange for Season 2!  As an AFS volunteer, you gain skills that are valuable outside of AFS. Intercultural communication, leadership, marketing, event planning, content creation, project management, and more. In this episode we hear from 3 AFS volunteers who are all at points of transition in their lives. How has their volunteer experience equipped them with valuable skil...

This episode features an interview with Zodi Schwind, an AFS returnee who studied in France. We chat about her unique upbringing on a hospital ship off the coast of western Africa, her family, and her takeaways from her time abroad. We also learn how she fundraised $10,000 for her program in France by running a marathon! Guest: Zodi Schwind More from AFS-USA: 🏠 Host a Student | ✈️ Study Abroad |...

This episode starts out with a brief history of the American Field Service. Next, we hear from Steve Riford, one of the AFS Ambulance Drivers during WWII. Steve shares stories of his time with the American Field Service- from boat rides and bagpipes to loud cannons and lost windshield wipers. After volunteering with AFS, Steve became a member of the New York State Assembly and the New York State S...

The episode provides advice for AFS participants beginning their program abroad.  AFS-USA staff were surveyed with two questions: What piece of advice would you have for new participants, and what’s something that surprised you about your time abroad?  We will hear from staff who studied abroad in Malaysia, Argentina, Uzbekistan, France, Australia, Russia, Germany, and more!   While this advice is...

This episode features an interview with Nico, an AFS returnee from the U.S. who was first involved with AFS thanks to his mother, an AFS exchange student to the U.S. from Italy. We’ll hear from Nico about his experiences as an AFS participant in Egypt, AFS volunteer traditions in other countries, and how you can always come back as an AFS volunteer, even if you took some time off!   Guest: Nico Bo...

In this episode we interview three high school administrators from Ohio, West Virginia, and California. These educators provide insight about the value of welcoming AFS international exchange students into their school communities. We’ll hear about football games, hallway stampedes, lunchroom awkwardness, and… High School Musical? Guests: Ben McMurray, Ottawa Hills Junior/Senior High School (OH) T...

In this episode, we chat with Kim from Wisconsin. Kim has been a host sibling, host parent, study abroad participant, and sending parent. Kim shares tips for host parents and discusses how she brings intercultural education into the preschool classroom. We also hear from a volunteer with AFS Brazil about the history of the Portuguese language in Brazil.  Guest: Kim Thompson Guest Narrator: Júlia H...