AFS ( American Field Service ) is an organization which offers international and intercultural exchange and study programms in more than 50 countries. It offers the opportunity to young people to travel and open themselves to new cultures all over the world. Those programs could last between two and ten months.
Personally, I have never attended an exchange with AFS but my family and I had the opportunity to host two exchange students.
Our first AFS experience was with a Canadian student named Hannah. She stayed three months in my family after my sister went to hers. Our experience with Hannah was great. She adapted quickly to our habits. She became a member of our family. It’s what hosting is all about, accepting someone new into your family as if he or she was part of it.
It was interesting to notice the differences between our two cultures. Living this experience made me realize how by staying in your own country you could also discover new cultures by hosting.
We are currently hosting Elena, an Italian student who will stay in our family for five months. So far the experience has been enjoyable for everybody. Elena has also became a part of the family.
At the beginning of each experience the English language is important. As a matter of fact most of the time every foreign student does not speak the language of their host country. So English can be really used the first few months but then by being immerged into the country’s language we can notice a fast progress. And then, the use of the English language is reduced in time.
By Lea Mussard, 1L
