The AFS Exchange

Oct 14 2024 38 ep. 33 mins 1
The AFS Exchange Podcast artwork

In each episode of The AFS Exchange, we sit down with AFS-USA host families, students, volunteers, and educators to hear about the profound impact of their AFS experiences. Join us as we explore the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world. 

As a non-profit organization, AFS-USA has been empowering people to become globally engaged citizens for over 70 years. With programs in 45+ countries and hosting students from 90+ countries, AFS-USA has been creating life-changing intercultural experiences for generations. 

  Education  Society & Culture
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The Power of Study Abroad: 4 Returnee Stories

Oct 14 2024 32 mins  
In this episode, we hear from four recent returnees who participated in AFS programs in France, Japan, Spain, and the Czech Republic. We begin with a deeper conversation with Selina, who spent a transformative summer in France with AFS after feeling the need for a change following the isolation of the COVID lockdown. Her experience abroad motivated her to continue studying internat

Becoming a Global Family

Sep 16 2024 32 mins  
Ever wondered what it's like to have a new brother every year? Justin and Chad, a couple from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can tell you! They've been hosting AFS students for years, and their 3-year-old son, Everett, has grown up with a global family.In this episode, they share stories about the impact of hosting on their lives and the lasting bonds they've formed with their international

Crossing Borders, Overcoming Barriers: Kakeru's Inspirational Journey

Aug 19 2024 36 mins  
“And that kind of moment of breakthrough has been helping me for the rest of my life, right? Whenever I face any difficulty or struggles, I know there's a way to break through by my own efforts. And there are things that I can control.”In this episode, we’re going to talk about the power of turning things around- pushing through difficult experiences, realizing when you’re

Keith, Doug, and their Danish Host Son

Jul 18 2024 34 mins  
Keith and Doug Byron, a couple from Indiana, welcomed a Danish student into their home in 2022-2023. In this episode, the two of them discuss their initial motivations for hosting, their Danish host son's deep dive into American culture, their family's love of music and video games, and the rewarding connections made with both their student and the community. This might sound like

Apartheid, Iowa, and the Aftermath: Reed and Ketsi’s Story

Jun 13 2024 34 mins  
In this episode of The AFS Exchange, we share the incredible story of Reed Davis and Ketsi Meka, two friends separated by continents and decades. Ketsi, from South Africa, lived with Reed’s family in Iowa during 1982-83. After Ketsi returned to Apartheid South Africa, they lost touch despite Reed’s repeated efforts to reconnect.Thirty years later, Reed headed to South Africa fo

Growing Together: AFS-USA Host Sibling Experiences

May 14 2024 42 mins  
AFS students bring a lot to their new families and homes. But what about when they also bring the sibling experience for the first time?In this episode, we delve into the stories of only children who suddenly found themselves with siblings overnight! Parker from Massachusetts and Reese from New York grew up as only children, but in recent years, their families have embraced hosting

Thank You, AFS-USA Volunteers!

Apr 29 2024 36 mins  
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month at AFS-USA, and we're thrilled to present a special bonus episode dedicated to expressing our gratitude to our incredible AFS volunteers! They truly are the heart of our organization. In this episode, AFS-USA staff have shared heartfelt voice memos, offering shout outs to individual volunteers, teams, advisory groups, and expressing general mes

Tips from a Young Activist and AFS-USA Volunteer

Apr 10 2024 36 mins  
Katherine, a young AFS-USA volunteer from California, is deeply passionate about activism. In 2023, she engaged in AFS-USA’s Youth Ambassador Sustainability Project, a 7-week online leadership course for emerging leaders. During this program, she established a partnership with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. Katherine shares practical advice for aspi

From Senegal to Seattle: One AFSer's Journey in the Pacific Northwest

Mar 13 2024 33 mins  
March is host family appreciation month at AFS-USA - a huge shoutout to all AFS host families! This month, we're excited to share an interview featuring a host mother-daughter pair from Washington: Jutta and Diarra.Diarra from Senegal is having a truly culture-rich year in Seattle with the Mackensen-von Stieglitz family, who moved from Germany to the U.S. about 20 years ago. Alongs

Season 3 Highlights

Feb 21 2024 30 mins  
In Season 3 of the AFS Exchange Podcast we've had the privilege of engaging with 28 guests across 12 episodes, each sharing impactful stories about how AFS has shaped their lives. To cap it off, we're excited to share a special episode which showcases some of the season's standout moments. And to mix it up, we've included amusing clips that didn't make the final edits, and some cul