WHAT KIND OF YOUNG PERSON WILL WE GET? CAN WE CHOOSE?
Skilled professional AFS/ABM staff and volunteers will select a suitable young person who will be interested in you and your family’s way of life. AFS/ABM is about people rather than a particular nationality. You may indicate whether you would prefer a boy or girl; AFS/ABM will send you the student’s application to review. Most AFS students are between 16 and 18 years old; placements are made based on your family’s interest and individual characteristics. Once you have accepted the suitable student he or she will be notified of your family details.
HOW WILL IT CHANGE OUR FAMILY?
Hosting involves everyone in the family. A new person in your family brings a fresh perspective to everyday life. Your friends and relatives will be affected by your newly expanded family. Remember your family has ways of doing things which you probably take for granted. With an AFS student, you’ll learn that there is more than one way to look at the world.
ARE WE A SUITABLE FAMILY?
AFS students have a wide range of interests and personalities. There is surely one who is compatible with your family. We look for a secure, flexible, interested family who is willing to share their lives with an AFS’er.
WHAT IF WE HAVE NO CHILDREN?
You can benefit even more from having the companionship of an AFS’er, and will see the world through the eyes of a teenager from another culture. For some AFS’ers, living in a family with no children is an advantage since it allows them to stand on their own two feet and be more independent. It all depends upon a good placement- the right student for you!
BUT I’M A SINGLE PARENT. AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?
Certainly. A growing number of single-parent families enjoy the experience of hosting an AFS student.
WHAT IF WE HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN?
If you have young children, a new older brother or sister may be just right. In fact, some AFS’ers express a preference for placement with a young family.
WHAT ARE WE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
You supply love, moral support, and basic needs – just as you would for a child of your own. Your AFS’er will not expect to be treated differently, but as part of your family. The cost depends on a number of factors, one being your own family’s level of expenditure.
ARE HOST FAMILIES PAID?
Families are not paid to host AFS students. It’s purely voluntarily basis.
DO AFS’ers NEED THEIR OWN ROOM?
No, although AFS/ABM prefers that each AFS student has his or her own bed.
A large proportion of AFS’er share a bedroom with their new brothers or sisters. These young people are selected for their adaptability, and have chosen the challenge of living abroad for a year with a new family.
WHERE WOULD THE AFS’er GO TO SCHOOL?
The Ministry of Education has given permission for host parents to choose which school they want their AFS students to attend. It might be the same school their children attend. Please approach the school you have in mind and they will assist you in filling up the necessary school information form. If you are not sure, AFS/ABM will help you approach the nearest appropriate school.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING SCHOOL VACATIONS?
Since AFS’er fits in with your daily life, it will depend upon what your family usually does. After all, this is an experience to be shared.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A FAMILY CRISIS OR CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES WHILE WE ARE HOSTING?
Most families prefer to make adjustments if an unanticipated situation arises. However, if necessary, another family in the area would take over for you, allowing you to stay in touch with your AFS’er. If another family cannot be located in the area, the student will be moved to another appropriate family in another area but they will still be encouraged to keep in touch.
HOW LONG WILL THE STUDENT LIVE WITH US?
You’ll wish it were longer when the time comes to say goodbye! The Year Programme is approximately 11 months; arriving in January and leaving in December. If you are unable to host a student for an entire year, you may wish to consider a short-term placement.
WHAT IF WE DON’T GET ALONG?
AFS/ABM takes the responsibility for a student to be moved to another family if the placement is not successful. Each year about 50 young people are placed in homes all over Malaysia. Occasionally, some students and families prove incompatible. A move is most often the result of unforeseen personality clashes or insufficient information about either student or family. Thus, it is important for placement purposes to be as complete and candid as possible in your application form.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STUDENT?
The student’s natural parents remain the legal guardians. However, ABM is responsible for the student’s welfare and safety. While you have responsibility on a day-to-day basis, local ABM staff can be reached 24-hours a day. While initially you may feel overly responsible and protective, eventually you will find it easier to treat him/her as you would your own child.
WHO PAYS MEDICAL EXPENSES?
ABM and AFS International voluntarily agree to pay the full costs for any medical treatment required during the time when the student is a participant on the programme. ABM/AFS International does not cover any treatment required for pre-existing conditions or preventive purposes, or dental or eye-care. In these instances the natural parents must pay.
- WHAT SUPPORT DOES ABM OFFER OUR FAMILY?
Apart from expanding your horizons by enriching your family life, AFS/ ABM provides local contacts who help your family and AFS’er to get the most from your year together. Local AFS/ABM volunteers may also organise events throughout the year, which provide everyone with opportunities to meet other people who are involved with AFS and who are enthusiastic about making a practical contribution to peace and international understanding.
WHAT MAKES AFS/ABM SPECIAL?
AFS/ABM (which is affiliated to AFS Intercultural Programs ) is the largest international high school exchange program and has been operating in Malaysia since 1958 and internationally since 1947. The organisation is active in more than 50 countries, two-thirds of which are in the developing world, and so is able to offer the greatest diversity of students. Volunteers provide local support in each community to assist families and students. They also arrange enrichment activities. Successful fundraising on the local and national levels enable AFS/ABM to offer such an opportunity to students from all economic and social levels.
WHEN WOULD OUR STUDENT ARRIVE?
Year Program students arrive in January and July every year. You will receive an approximate arrival date with confirmation on your placement from AFS/ABM and more specific information nearer to arrival time.
WHEN AND HOW DO WE APPLY?*
Apply as soon as possible. ABM needs adequate time to carefully place students with families. Write today for more information to AFS
or call us at:
AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia
40 A Jalan SS22/21,
Damansara Jaya
47400, Petaling Jaya
T: 03 77224866 / 77254966
F: 03 77253966
More question on Hosting!
Who will our participant be?
AFS takes many factors into account when placing a participant with a host family. Do you want to host a male or female? Is your family noisy or quiet? Do you participate in many sports? Are you a music-loving family? AFS does not seek to find the “perfect” placement, but looks for common interests and values between the family and the participant which will help the two establish bonds more quickly. Once AFS has selected a participant to place with your family, you will review the application papers to make sure you feel comfortable with the placement. Just as there are many types of families, there are many types of participants. Our hope is that we can bring together people who will enjoy sharing and learning together.
How will our family be selected to host an AFS participant?
AFS takes many factors into account when placing a participant with a host family. Do you want to host a male or female? Is your family noisy or quiet? Do you participate in many sports? Are you a music-loving family? AFS does not seek to find the “perfect” placement, but looks for common interests and values between the family and the participant which will help the two establish bonds more quickly. Once AFS has selected a participant to place with your family, you will review the application papers to make sure you feel comfortable with the placement. Just as there are many types of families, there are many types of participants. Our hope is that we can bring together people who will enjoy sharing and learning together.
What if we have problems communicating with our AFS participant?
Given language difference, some difficulties in communicating can be expected. These challenges can also provide a good opportunity for learning. As your participant adjusts, you will find his/her communication skills improving. Remember that participants who speak your language well may not yet have learned all the subtle signals and idioms unique to your national language.
In addition, AFS provides each host family and participant with a contact person. AFS contacts are often people who have been through AFS experiences and are there to help you work through any challenges you might face during your hosting experience.
