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 life and family, and why she is so passionate about supporting the next generation of global citizens.

This August, Double Your Impact!

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Jenny and the Speedwell Foundation, every dollar you give to AFS-USA in August 2025 will be matched, up to $250,000. Your donation will directly fund scholarships for students, giving them access to life-changing global experiences.

Double your impact and donate now at afsusa.org/donate.

Guests:
Jenny Kissinger Messner
Audio clips from scholarship recipients 

Other Episodes About Scholarships:
How Scholarships Can Change Lives
The Power of Study Abroad: 4 Returnee Stories

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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.

You'll also discover how Michael and his husband Allen got to dive deep into the cultures and customs of Germany and Morocco, as their host son has a parent from each country. Plus, hear insights directly from Michael's host son about his experiences at school and traveling throughout the United States.

In such a pivotal time in our country's history, it matters now more than ever to have AFSers travel the world and exchange ideas.

Guests:
Michael Wargo
Yassin

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 unexpected bond that transformed them from strangers into a tight-knit group.

We’ll hear from three participants and their Program Leader about the highs and lows of their experience. From icebreaker games in that airport hotel to navigating life with Maasai host families in a village, they'll share how shared moments- and unexpected challenges- cemented their connections. Hear how stepping outside their comfort zones allowed them to form deep friendships and gain invaluable skills that continue to impact their lives two years later. It's a  story of adaptability, discovery, and how shared adventure can truly bond strangers in just a few short weeks.

Guests:
Mikayla Rose Sierra
Ben Fiedler
Luke Benjamin
Nina Gaulin

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 Paraguay to a community theater group in Germany, their experiences highlight the importance of putting yourself out there, even if it feels a little strange. This could mean finding a favorite activity in your new environment or trying something completely different. Saying yes and not being afraid of a few missteps can really open doors. Having a group of people you genuinely enjoy spending time with can significantly enhance your program.

This episode reminds us that finding that sense of belonging abroad isn't just about school or your host family relationships. It's about actively engaging with your new environment and being open to unique paths of connection that might surprise you.

Guests:
Megan Frye
Eva
Esha

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 individuals, uncovering some truly unexpected connections and poignant moments. 

We'll also hear about Thomas's own journey into this history, which began with a random trunk he bought in Ohio and led him to the quest of locating a 100-year-old cairn in France. It's clear that the impact of AFS began long before student exchanges, touching lives in surprising ways.

Guest:
Thomas Fife

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 filled with wealthy socialites, treacherous drives, at least one unpleasant breakup, and the raw determination of young men facing unimaginable circumstances. In this episode, in conversation with historian Thomas Fife, we will cover the significant expansion of the American Field Service beyond its initial base in Paris, as it became a vital support element for the Allied forces.

That same spirit of the original World War I volunteers – that deep desire to connect with people across cultures – is alive and well in AFS volunteers today, whose story is just as vital, though thankfully less dramatic and dangerous. They are the modern-day drivers, working tirelessly to promote intercultural understanding, facilitate life-changing exchanges, and build lasting bridges between communities.

Guest:
Thomas Fife

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 exchange. Tune in to discover how AFS-USA students find themselves through new pursuits.

Guests:
Ayya
Sama
Danisa

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 host parent himself; and Keith and Doug share the heartwarming welcome they received from their host son's family in Denmark.

We'll also meet Naveenaa, a current YES Program student from India, who's exploring the U.S. with her adventurous host family.

As you listen, remember that AFS is seeking host families to welcome amazing students for the semester starting in January 2025! Whether you're ready now or considering it for the future, head to afsusa.org/host to learn more and open your home to a world of possibilities.

Guest: 
Naveenaa P.

Episodes Mentioned:
Jutta and Diarra: From Senegal to Seattle: One AFSer's Journey in the Pacific Northwest
Justin and Chad: Becoming a Global Family
Kakeru and Kendis: Crossing Borders, Overcoming Barriers: Kakeru’s Inspiration Journey
Keith and Doug: Keith, Doug, and their Danish Host Son

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 awards ceremony to insightful sessions and a lively line-dance lesson, the weekend was unforgettable. You’ll hear from award-winning volunteers, learn what fuels their passion for AFS, and catch some fun behind-the-scenes moments- like a surprise reunion and how a random flight conversation turned one dad into a volunteer. 

Whether you’re already part of the AFS family or just curious about this worldwide community, take a listen to hear about the connections forged this weekend!

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

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 her to finish high school in Costa Rica.

After Selina’s story, we hear from three scholarship recipients- Morgan, Dahlia, and Emmett- who share their own inspiring experiences studying in Japan, Spain, and Czech Republic. These stories highlight the life-changing impact of study abroad programs, and we’re sharing them as AFS-USA opens applications for 2025 departures.

AFS-USA is dedicated to making study abroad opportunities accessible to students from all backgrounds. With the help of generous donors, AFS Global Citizen Scholarships & Aid provides $1 million annually in merit and need-based scholarships. These scholarships cover partial to full program fees for summer, semester, and yearlong programs, ensuring that more students have the chance to embark on a global learning adventure. Tune in to hear how these young people’s experiences abroad shaped their perspectives and futures!

Guests:
Selina
Morgan
Dahlia
Emmett

More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections