Experience your world through the eyes of a young person from another country
Prepare your family to become global citizens—ready to connect with people from around the world
Help an international student learn how to live in and enjoy your culture and traditions
-Leah Villaflor, host mother from Philippines
AFS has invited families to welcome international students into their homes since 1947. Long considered a key element in the well being of exchange students, host families provide so much more than shelter and meals.
Supported by dedicated volunteers and staff, host families help students navigate their new schools and communities, make friends, learn the language and enjoy their year abroad. Sharing culture and traditions help families bond, creating lifelong friendships.
Learn why host families are so important to AFS programs. Our application process is thorough so we can make the best match for your family.
We take finding families very seriously. Although there’s no “ideal” AFS family—we have plenty of experience finding the “right” families.
Meet the trained volunteers and staff who will support your family and help you learn how to make your AFS experience rewarding and fun.
Experience the AFSeffect with your new family member by sharing your home, your heart and your world as you take your first steps to becoming global.
Duration: 3 to 10+ months, starting at the beginning or the middle of the school year. Students: 15 –18 years old.
Duration: 2 –11 weeks, starting throughout the year.
Students: 15 –18 years old.
Duration: 4 – 48 weeks, starting throughout the year.
Students: 18 and above.
Experienced local AFS volunteers and staff will prepare your family for the challenges of welcoming a new member from another country.
24 hour local emergency contact and additional support from the AFS national office is available. AFS students have medical insurance, if health care is necessary.
Trained volunteers and staff will support you throughout your hosting program, including meeting with you and your family at least once a month to make sure everything is working out.
Your support volunteers will guide your family and student through the AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey activities to help make the entire experience more meaningful and lasting.
The AFS Host Family Program is now supported by the AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey, built on specific intercultural learning objectives and facilitated by trained staff and volunteers. The Journey includes orientation sessions, facilitated discussions and other learning activities and reflection—all to enable the family to better support their hosted student and explore and build their intercultural awareness and understanding as individual global citizens and as a family.
