What is AFS?

Ｉ　ａｍ　ｎｏｔ　ａ　ｐａｒｔ　ｏｆ　ＡＦＳ，　Ｉ’ｍ　ｊｕｓｔ　ａ　ｓｔｕｄｅｎｔ　ｏｎ　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｐｒｏｇｒａｍｓ．　Ｓｏ，　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｔｏ　ｔａｋｅ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｌｏｇｏ　ｄｏｗｎ．　Ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｃａｎ’ｔ　ｓｐｅａｋ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅｍ，　ｐｌｅａｓｅ！

Wow, why have I not made a post on this yet?

So, you want to be an exchange student? You want to learn about the company I'm going through? You've come to the right place! I'm going to Japan through AFS so I'll tell you a little bit about it.

If you are in any way interested in hosting an exchange student or studying abroad yourself please read through these facts and go to the AFS website here to apply or read more: http://www.afsusa.org/

(Sorry, for some reason you have to copy and paste the link or right click and press "go to" the address. I'll figure out what's f=wrong later)

Some history and facts about AFS-USA:

• AFS-USA was formerly the American Field Service.
• It started as an ambulance driving operation in WWII
• It's a nonprofit organization.
• It offers international exchange to more than 40 different countries through independent, nonprofit AFS organizations in each country.
• It's mostly run by a network of volunteers.
• They've been doing student exchange for 65 years.

AFS-USA today:

• Sends approximately 1,100 participants abroad per year.
• Welcomes 2,300 international high school exchange students into the U.S.
• Is supported by more than 5,000 volunteers in the U.S. who make the work of AFS-USA possible.
• Partners with 2,100 U.S. schools through hosting and sending.

AFS International Network:

• Exchanges 13,000 individuals each year.

• Has more than 50 partner organizations including AFS-USA.

• Maintains an alumni network of more than 424,000 individuals who have studied abroad on an AFS Program.

• Is supported by more than 44,000 AFS Volunteers worldwide.

Hosting an Exchange Student with AFS-USA:

• AFS-USA staff and volunteers work with 1,500 US schools to provide them with outstanding students from abroad who contribute greatly to academic and community life.
• Volunteers work with students, families, schools, and community organizations to illustrate the benefits of an intercultural educational opportunity.
• Host families provide students with a bed, meals, and the same care they give to their own family members.
•  Host families and students receive ongoing support during the process from AFS-USA staff and volunteers.

Studying Abroad with AFS-USA:

• AFS-USA has year, semester, and summer programs abroad for high school students ages 15-18.
• Gap Year Programs are geared specifically for high school graduates and individuals over 18 who are interested in making a difference through international community service or university programs.
• A language requirement is not necessary for most AFS-USA programs.

Usually grades are not a huge deal, but you should have a 2.8 or above I believe. Tons of scholarships are offered, too! Get started right away, the application process and preparation is lengthy for both host families and exchange students in any program.