AFS is preparing to run programs in 2020 and 2021 and is currently assessing if and when we will be able to safely host students in different countries based on our thorough and careful analysis, committing ourselves to be agile and flexible in face of rapidly changing circumstance, and making all of these efforts in the best interests of people who believe in our mission and what we do.

As a global network of organizations, AFS is actively re-assessing hosting conditions on a country- by-country basis. Planned program start dates could range between August and December 2020, and travel will occur only where possible and safe. Not all countries will be able to host or send. If your planned hosting experience must change because of the evolving circumstances, we will let
you know as soon as we are able, and we will do all we can to minimize the disruption.
We want to maintain an open dialogue with all host families. If you have concerns about hosting, please reach out to us so we can discuss them with you.

When you host an AFS student, you are supported by a robust network of people experienced in navigating crises, including a local chapter of dedicated and trained volunteers and the experienced and highly trained support staff that works at our office. We are closely monitoring health and travel recommendations from authorities as well as our strong, on-the-ground volunteer network. AFS uses a robust set of criteria to monitor and resume program activity only where and when possible. All AFS participants will follow travel guidelines defined by their local governments and the local regulations in the hosting country. Before your hosted student arrives, you will be fully informed.

We are confident in our ability to manage complex and challenging situations because we have 70+ years of experience doing so (including evacuating participants from Japan following the 2011 earthquake, from Venezuela and Egypt during political crises, and managing epidemics like
H1N1 and SARS). During the current pandemic, we safely and rapidly evacuated over 6,000 AFSers from 90+ countries.

As a global network of organizations, AFS is actively re-assessing the conditions on a country-by- country basis, and will continue to do so throughout the duration of the program. We will determine how well AFS can continue to support participants on the program in case of another
outbreak, and assess if the program can continue in the best interest of the participants’ safety.

Because the pandemic is still evolving and changing on a daily basis, we understand it is difficult to make any firm commitments and that your circumstances may change. We will be in constant contact with you to inform you about all AFS procedures and decisions that will provide more
certainty and clarity on how our programs are running. At the same time, we ask you to contact us any time you have a question or concern – we are committed to keeping an open dialogue with you.

While we are planning ahead for the future, we are dedicated to only restarting our programs when it is safe and possible to do so. This means that the start date of your hosted student’s program will depend on the situation in your country, and in their home country. At the earliest, we expect to begin running a limited number of programs in August. We are constantly assessing AFS hosting readiness and are committed to keeping an open dialogue with you and keeping you updated as we make decisions. Please reach out to us to discuss your specific situation. We will notify you in advance about the exact arrival dates of your hosted student.

Sophie Ismail at [email protected]

Tel: 03-78876866

All types of families are encouraged to apply; there is no “typical” AFS host family. Some AFS families have children at home. Some are same sex couples. Others are empty nesters with adult children or are couples with no children at all. Single adults and single parents are also welcome. Even busy families find time to enjoy hosting AFS students!

1. Welcome your AFS student to participate in your family’s daily lives and events
2. The same care, support and comfort you provide to other members of your family, including meals.

AFS students arrive with their own spending money for social and school activities, clothes, etc. As a host family, you will not need to provide spending money or an allowance. We will discuss how school related costs are handled.

AFS staff are responsible for facilitating communication with partner countries about any concerns or questions that require the input of the natural family while a hosted student is on program. In most cases, your liaison is best suited to deal with issues directly.

Should you or your student ever have an emergency, you will have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our Duty Officer. The duty officer can be reached during the evenings and on weekends at an Emergency Number provided to you once you become a host famil

Your family and student are required to attend several local orientations throughout the experience. These orientations are usually scheduled at critical junctures in the cultural adjustment cycle to provide guidance and support to both you and your student.

Participants receive information on personal safety as part of their orientation to the AFS experience. We encourage all participants and host parents to discuss this information with each other and their liaison.

AFS guides you through what you can expect during your year with your AFS student, offering tips and resources to help you both of you, you and your student have experience a successful intercultural exchange.