AFS is always looking for host families who are interested in hosting an exchange student!

Have you ever considered hosting a student from a foreign country? It is an unforgettable experience, one you are sure to treasure for the rest of your life. An AFS student is not a tourist. He or she becomes a member of your family in every way.

This is how it works:   a carefully selected high school-age student from one of more than 55 countries comes to live as a member of your family. This is done after an extensive evaluation of the student's background and the host family's needs. AFS volunteers are trained to make your experience as rewarding as possible.

Generally, the students have strong academic records. All AFS students speak some English, and many speak it very well.

For up to 11 months, he or she goes to school in our community, plays with the dog, goes to the movies with the rest of the family, struggles with homework, plays on the high school team, and acts and lives just like a normal teenager-- despite the differences in language and culture.

AFS has set the standard for placing students with families.

A volunteer will be available to help you and your student with any adjustments needed to make the experience a success.

As an AFS host family, you always have the local, state, national, and international support network of AFS volunteers. AFS maintains a 24-hour emergency service at AFS headquarters in New York, which is linked to the entire AFS world.

If you are going to invest your family's time and money in a student exchange organization program, you want it to be the right organization. When you host an AFS student, your family will be supported by one of the largest and most experienced student exchange organizations in the world.

Host with AFS

"I am so glad I listened to my daughter when she wanted to host an exchange student. We thought we had plenty of time to enjoy Marion's stay, but it was over all too soon."    --Bonnie, Orangeville, Pennsylvania

Every year, thousands of families around the world make the decision to host an international exchange student. The benefits to the family are many-- the opportunity to learn more about the world without leaving home, the chance to form lasting friendships, and a shared experience that brings the entire family closer together.

Who can be an AFS host family? Two-parent families with children or teens, families with adopted or foster children, and single people or couples with or without children. The one thing all AFS host families have in common is a willingness to open their hearts and their homes to young people from other countries, ages 15 to 18. These motivated teens are eager to learn about U.S. culture, language, and lifestyle-- your America.

When you agree to be an AFS host, we work carefully with you to match a student with your family. We also provide you and your student with continuous support including orientations and counseling. All AFS students have demonstrated some English language proficiency and bring their own spending money and medical coverage.

"The love we now share as a global family has changed us forever, enriching our lives beyond our wildest dreams. We have experienced love in three languages."     --La Point Family, Russell, New York

Take the next step:   Call 1-800-AFS-INFO today!