The AFS Exchange

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!

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

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

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

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 sons, and Everett's brothers. Hear how their family has been introduced to new cultures, experiences, and even the challenges of raising a teenager, years before Everett will become one. While there have been ups and downs, they've felt well-supported by AFS throughout their journey. This episode is a testament to the benefits that couples with young children can gain by hosting an exchange student- or seven!

Guests:
Chad Bauman
Justin Dunleavy

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

“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 yourself out of the darkness. For Kakeru from Japan, that turning point came when he was studying in California with AFS in 2004-2005.

Now, 20 years later, Kakeru has moved back to the US, earned an MBA, and landed a job in tech in Silicon Valley. In this episode, we not only hear Kakeru’s story but also gain insight from his host mother, Kendis, with whom he’s still in touch after all these years!

After the interview with Kakeru and Kendis, we’ll hear from Amanda Brown, AFS-USA’s Manager of Participant Support and Learning, who will discuss common challenges students face on the program and the resources AFS-USA provides for participants, host families, and volunteers.

Guests:
Kakeru Tsubota
Kendis Heffley
Amanda Brown

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

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 typical conversation with host parents- and honestly, it is! The fact that Keith and Doug are a same-sex couple really doesn't matter- AFS-USA knows that all types of families can provide a welcoming, caring home for an exchange student. In fact, this past year, 39 same-sex couples hosted students with AFS-USA. No matter what your household looks like, you can learn more about hosting a student this upcoming school year at afsusa.org/host.

Guests:
Keith Byron
Doug Byron

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

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 up his search for Ketsi. Spoiler alert: they finally reconnect and reflect on the years since Ketsi’s time in Iowa, leading to a creative project together.

Join us to hear about Ketsi’s year in the U.S., his experience moving from Apartheid South Africa to a predominantly white community in Iowa, and the culture shocks he endured after returning back home. This episode shows the lasting power of cultural exchange and how relationships formed can grow even stronger over time. Reed and Ketsi's story highlights how impactful these connections can be, even decades later.

Guests:
Reed Davis
Ketsi Meka

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

AFS students bring a lot to their new families and homes. But what about when they also bring the sibling experience for the first time?

In this episode, we delve into the stories of only children who suddenly found themselves with siblings overnight! Parker from Massachusetts and Reese from New York grew up as only children, but in recent years, their families have embraced hosting AFS students, adding brothers and sisters from around the globe to their lives.

By welcoming AFS students, families not only offer their child a glimpse of life beyond the United States but also introduce them to the joys and challenges of siblinghood.

Join us as we hear from Parker and two of his host siblings, followed by Reese, his mother, and two of his host siblings. What impact has welcoming a new family member had on their lives?

Interested in hosting a student with AFS? Or perhaps you're an only child yourself... and think it'd be cool to have a sibling from a different country? Head to afsusa.org/host to learn more.

Guests:
Parker Santerre
Noah
Mariana
Taryn Bunn
Reese Day
Ilona
Saki

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

Katherine, a young AFS-USA volunteer from California, is deeply passionate about activism. In 2023, she engaged in AFS-USA’s Youth Ambassador Sustainability Project, a 7-week online leadership course for emerging leaders. During this program, she established a partnership with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. Katherine shares practical advice for aspiring changemakers eager to embark on their own journey toward effecting change.

In this episode, we delve into global perspectives and explore Taiwan. Katherine also took part in the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program in Taipei during the summer of 2023. This experience intensified her commitment to driving change. She emphasizes the significance of international collaboration in achieving sustainability, advocating for mutual understanding, acceptance of differences, and embracing diverse perspectives.

Guest:
Katherine Verrando

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]

March is host family appreciation month at AFS-USA - a huge shoutout to all AFS host families! This month, we're excited to share an interview featuring a host mother-daughter pair from Washington: Jutta and Diarra.

Diarra from Senegal is having a truly culture-rich year in Seattle with the Mackensen-von Stieglitz family, who moved from Germany to the U.S. about 20 years ago. Alongside trying out new activities like ice skating, bowling, and indulging in breakfast burritos, Diarra is learning about German culture and some words of the language.

In this episode we hear about Diarra’s year so far in the U.S., and how she has grown. We also hear Jutta share insights into her family’s rich cultural history and the reasons behind their decision to host a student this year.

The story of Diarra and Jutta is just one among the hundreds of AFS families across the U.S. this year. A heartfelt thank you to all AFS host families, both past and present. Interested in becoming a future AFS host family? Check out afsusa.org/host for more information.

Guests:
Diarra
Jutta von Stieglitz

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: [email protected]