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. 

LEARNING BY DOING

The Lasting Benefits of Studying Abroad with AFS

Parents and educators have long known that "learning by doing" is a powerful teaching tool. AFS Intercultural Programs provides a unique opportunity for students to learn invaluable skills by living abroad with a host family in another country. Here’s how parents, college admissions officers, and prospective employers view the benefits of an intercultural experience abroad.

Personal Development: Students who ask to participate in AFS are already demonstrating maturity by showing their interest in challenging themselves. Living in a community abroad and learning to adapt to new environments further develops their maturity. Mike of Roseburg, OR, parent of an AFSer, said "Lisa grew immensely through her AFS experience in eastern Europe. She faced a number of challenges with language, culture, travel and a rapidly changing economic environment. Lisa understands other cultures in a way that can only be gained by experience."

Research shows that AFSers return home with an enhanced ability to make independent decisions, significantly improved communication skills, and a greater sensitivity to other cultures. Lysianne of Quebec, Canada said, "You feel like a different person. More mature, more open to different things. I am proud of the person I became through my exchange."

Preference in College Admissions: The increased number of qualified students applying for college admission has created an enormous amount of competition. How will your students differentiate themselves from the crowd? Grades alone don't always cut it anymore, but being an AFSer certainly helps. Recently within our Area, Lisa, Jeff, Laura, Bree and Jennifer were all accepted at very selective colleges after their AFS experience. In addition to getting into school, language fluency that comes with living abroad can help with college credits. Caleb tested out of three years of Spanish classes, and will graduate from Lewis and Clark College a semester early because of his AFS experience. Chris was placed in a junior level Spanish class after a semester in Argentina, allowing him to take other classes. Kirsten was placed in a junior Japanese class after a year in Japan.

Over 250 colleges and universities recognize and value the AFS experience through preferential admissions and scholarship awards. Selective schools look at measures of quality other than grades, class rank, and test scores. Increasingly important in evaluating applicants are special language skills, experience living abroad, and community service. If you would like a copy of The AFS College Advantage, please call 1-800-876-2377.

Career Direction: American industry is acquiring a global focus. For example, the General Electric Company, according to spokesperson Bruce Bunch, looks to hire college graduates who have an "international mentality" those who have foreign language skills or have lived abroad. Whether working abroad or in the US, the ability to understand and manage cultural differences is crucial for success in the global marketplace of the 21st century. Additionally, many AFSers have attributed their career choices to their time abroad.

Why AFS? When you host an AFS student or one of your students goes abroad with AFS, he or she and you will be supported by one of the largest and most experienced student exchange organizations in the world. In each of the over 50 participating countries, AFS is characterized by three levels of support: a professional staff, a volunteer national board, and local volunteers who use their combined knowledge and enthusiasm to provide a safe yet challenging experience.

For More Information, go to AFS National website, www.afs.org/usa or call 1-800-AFS-INFO to talk to a live person. You can also email the AFS Pacific Cascades Area team at info@afscascades.org to find out how local volunteers can help you.

Last revision November 5, 2006