Pacific Cascades Area
AFS Intercultural Programs

AFS is the leading high school foreign exchange program, with opportunities to live and study in over 50 countries worldwide. 

THE RELEVANCE of AFS TODAY

It's no secret that being an AFSer is the experience of a lifetime. The excitement of living abroad, the growth of confidence, new language skills, college preference, cultural awareness--these are all common benefits for AFSers. At home, our host families open their homes, and in the process, they gain a son or a daughter in relationships that often last a lifetime. Along the way, there are many triumphs, occasionally some tears, but the personal growth that occurs in students, and in host families, can't be denied. That alone is enough to say "AFS is a good deal!" But wait-- there is more!

Stop and think for a moment how many lives an AFSer touches. While our students are abroad, they live with their host family, go to school, participate in local AFS events, and interact within their community. In reality, each AFS student touches hundreds of lives while they are abroad. When they return, they share their experiences, and for the rest of their lives, they see the world in a different way. From this perspective, each AFSer touches thousands of lives with their experience.

Since World War II, over a quarter of a million families in 55 countries around the world have opened their hearts and homes to AFS students. Each year, 7000 students worldwide live abroad through AFS. So in reality, AFS touches hundreds of thousands of lives every year with a message of peace, understanding, and a hope for a better future.

The world is changing faster than ever. Communications, accessible travel, international commerce and the Internet are all dramatically shrinking the distance between us. We truly are becoming a global village of many cultures. 

But where will we find future leaders who understand this confusing new world? AFSers can answer that call -- they understand the global village from experience. 

• When other people see different nationalities, AFSers see an opportunity to learn about new cultures and peoples. 
• When other people see divisions along racial or cultural lines, AFSers see another human being worthy of respect and understanding. 
• When other people hesitate to embrace new ideas and change because it is uncomfortable, AFSers dive in, because they know they can deal with the uncertainties of the world. 

These are the skills that our future leaders will need.

The original AFSers had a compelling vision for building a better world. With your help as AFS volunteers, that vision is reaching thousands of people all over the world every year. As our global village continues to shrink, cultural understanding will become more important than ever. We will need leaders and citizens throughout the world who can embrace the diversity of our village. AFSers know how to live in that world and will lead the way.

Last revision October22, 2006