FAQs for Students

You don’t have to go far to find an AFSer making a difference at home or around the world. That’s because AFS helps young people become engaged global citizens—prepared and committed to bringing people together and helping make the world a better place.

School-based Program
PEACE Program

Following are the answers to frequently asked questions about AFS programs by students.

Why should I study abroad?

Living, learning and making friends in another country helps you connect with a world larger than your own.
Studying abroad builds confidence and helps you become more comfortable in new and cross-cultural settings—in your home community or across the world.
Learning how to become a global citizen will help you understand, define and take your place in the world.
Exchange programs provide practical skills and understanding you need to communicate, collaborate and make friends with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Learning another language or strengthening your language skills allows you to see the world through the eyes of others and experience a new culture in a much more personal way.
Staying with a host family will help you appreciate perspectives of other people, as well as their cultures, values and traditions.
Joining a global community like AFS helps you embrace differences and realize that our world is stronger and more interesting because of them.
You’ll build your academic portfolio and CV/resume and stand out from the crowd when you apply to university.
New opportunities that can help you discover your path in life will be opened to you.

Why should I choose AFS?

What makes AFS different from other international programs?

AFS students are not tourists. Most students live with a host family, who along with AFS volunteers and staff will help your transition to your new school and become an active member of your community. Depending on the program, some students stay in other types of living arrangements—but all are supported by trained AFS volunteers and staff committed to making your experience meaningful and enjoyable as a member of a friendly community.
Through the AFS support network, you will become an active member of the host community, whether you go to a local school, volunteer or attend a program focused on a specific interest, like the environment or technology.

Will AFS help me adapt to my new family, school and community?

Absolutely! AFS staff, volunteers and host families or dorm counselors want to help make your experience enjoyable and memorable.

The AFS Student Learning Journey & Curriculum program will help you become more comfortable with your new family and school, make friends and develop skills and understanding to communicate and make friends with people from different cultures. The journey is:

Facilitated by trained AFS volunteers and staff.
Based on the well-established AFS Student Educational Goals that are valued by universities and employers around the world.
Made of fun and informative orientation sessions and useful learning materials in your home and host countries.
Guided by the AFS Student Learning Journey & Curriculum that includes, activities, role playing exercises and discussions that will help you fit into your new family, school and community.

What special skills can I gain by participating in an AFS program?

Become more self-confident and flexible as you learn how to turn challenging situations into valuable opportunities for personal growth.
Discover new ways to view and solve problems.
Practice new life skills in cross-cultural settings.
Learn to respect and value differences.
Enjoy exciting experiences that help young global citizens shape and define their place in increasingly diverse and internationalized schools, communities and workplaces.
Practice being a leader and collaborating across differences.
Become part of the growing, lifelong AFS community of over half a million global citizens.

Where will I live?

Most AFS students live with a host family. Our families are carefully chosen, screened and prepared to welcome an AFS student into their home. You’ll be treated like one of the family and welcomed to join in family routines, meals, activities and traditions.
Although much less common, some students live in dormitories, with weekend homestays to experience everyday life in a new community. For a very few short-term programs, students may even live in camp-like settings, if appropriate.
Once your application is accepted, AFS volunteers and staff in the host country will look for a community and family that are right for you. We encourage you to be as open and flexible as possible when it comes to placement.
All living facilities and situations are inspected and closely monitored by AFS throughout the exchange experience.

Will I fit in with young people in another country?

Students are often concerned about fitting in, especially when they don’t speak the language. Facing challenges is an important part of the experience, but most AFS students adjust, make friends and have fun in the process—and the trained AFS volunteers and staff will help you every step of the way.

One way to learn more about studying abroad and what’s it’s like to make friends in other countries is to visit AFS Facebook page meet other AFSers from our country, or go to our international AFS Facebook page to connect with AFS students from all over the world.

Does my AFS experience end when I come home?

AFSers make lifelong friends and stay in touch with their host families and other AFSers long after their exchange.
Become an AFSer, and you will join a connected global community of people committed to promoting and fostering intercultural understanding.
You have the opportunity to become an AFS volunteer and help other students and families on an AFS experience.
Your AFS experience will help you mature and develop skills that you will use throughout your lifetime:
- Explore and discover a new culture
- Learn to live and enjoy life outside your comfort zones.
- Get accustomed to making more decisions on your own.
- Enjoy amazing adventures with new friends from around the world.
- Try out new sports and unfamiliar activities.
- Share everyday life and cultural traditions with your host family and classroom.

The most important decision I have ever made

“It feels surreal to meet people, who once lived thousands of kilometers away from you, with different cultures and views, and get the opportunity to actually learn from them, with how our environment made us think, to share and discuss what we stand for, to learn things from our countries, to learn outside the four corners of the classroom, to learn all of these first-hand; to learn without boundaries. This has made the world our learning, to Team Diversity!”

— Sam Tecuala, AFS student from Philippines to France

AFS provides amazing experiences that will change your life forever!

High School Programs

School-based Program

PEACE Program

Frequently Asked Questions about the AFS Experience