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

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

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

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

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

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

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month at AFS-USA, and we're thrilled to present a special bonus episode dedicated to expressing our gratitude to our incredible AFS volunteers! They truly are the heart of our organization. In this episode, AFS-USA staff have shared heartfelt voice memos, offering shout outs to individual volunteers, teams, advisory groups, and expressing general messages of thanks.

Tune in to this special bonus episode to experience the warmth and appreciation our staff has for the volunteers who make AFS's mission a reality. Are you interested in becoming an AFS-USA volunteer? Visit afsusa.org/volunteer to get started!

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

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

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

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

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

In Season 3 of the AFS Exchange Podcast we've had the privilege of engaging with 28 guests across 12 episodes, each sharing impactful stories about how AFS has shaped their lives. To cap it off, we're excited to share a special episode which showcases some of the season's standout moments. And to mix it up, we've included amusing clips that didn't make the final edits, and some cultural deep dives from the season! You'll also hear from our podcast host Kate about the history of the show and some behind-the-scenes moments.

Season 4 will be launching soon! Until then, check out any of the previous 28 episodes of The AFS Exchange at afsusa.org/podcast or wherever you’re reading this message here :)

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

Mert Özer from Türkiye and Ann Ford from New Jersey are halfway through their year together as AFS exchange student and host mother. Living in a home with two very active dogs, they share an appreciation for music.

From afar, they may seem like a unique pair. Mert is blind and Ann was born with a hearing impairment. But this has not stopped them from forming a close relationship.

Tune in to hear about Mert’s experience in New Jersey, and the new experiences he has had on his AFS program- including dancing, living with dogs, and attending shows at Madison Square Garden!

Mert is a participant on the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES Program) which partners with Mobility International USA (MIUSA) to support exchange students living with disabilities. 

Guests:
Mert Özer
Ann Ford

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

Each AFS participant's experience on program varies, but Deb Moon and Juliette Cosh's summer in Cyprus stands out as truly unique.

Deb and Juliette, along with five other AFS students, were on this small island in 1974 when the Greek Cypriot military supported a coup to overthrow the country’s president. A few days later, the northern part of the country was invaded by the Turkish. Deb and Juliette were then evacuated to Lebanon. 

In this episode we'll explore the typical questions about AFS experiences, such as host families and skills gained. However, the focus will be on their gripping experience fleeing Cyprus during a period of uncertainty. It was during this tumult that they developed a friendship, one that has persisted over the years.

Nearly five decades later, Deb and Juliette remain close friends, having met up multiple times. Most recently, they reunited in Utah during the summer with another participant from the Cyprus program, who was evacuated to England.

Tune in to this episode to hear about the journey these two AFSers had in Cyprus and Lebanon, and discover how this unforgettable experience ignited a lifelong friendship that has endured through the decades.

Guests:
Deb Moon
Juliette Cosh

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

Celebrate International Education Week with us as we chat with two dynamic educators dedicated to instilling global competence in their classrooms. In this episode, we explore the significance of global competence through the experiences of Hannah Arrington from Bellaire High School in Houston, TX, and Ellen Ericson from Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet, IL.

Both Hannah and Ellen, seasoned travelers and advocates for global learning, are eager to share their insights with students, regardless of their academic focus. AFS has played a crucial role in supporting their mission.

Join us as we delve into the adventures abroad that shaped Hannah and Ellen, discover their paths into education, and understand the pivotal role global competence education plays in their classrooms. Learn how both educators are actively participating in the AFS Global Up Americas virtual exchange program, enhancing their teaching skills and connecting their students with counterparts in Mexico or Colombia. Tune in for inspiring stories and witness their shared commitment, in collaboration with AFS, to cultivating global citizens in the classroom.

Guests:
Hannah Arrington
Ellen Ericson

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