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. 

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and Parents
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HOW TO APPLY:

Go to www.afs.org/usa and complete the Preliminary Application. Or call 1-800-AFS-info and the Info Center will send you a Welcome Packet including an AFS CATALOG with details about the AFS programs. Complete the Preliminary Application in the catalog or you can fill out a pre-application over the phone or online. After returning the Preliminary Application to AFS along with the application fee a full packet including the full Application will be sent to you. The Info Center will also ask an AFS volunteer in your local community to contact you to arrange an in-home interview with you and your parents. If you wish to talk to your local volunteer prior to completing an application, email Pacific Cascade Area at info@afscascades.org.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT:

AFS provides several handbooks to help you prepare, including

• “How to Finance Your Experience,”

• “Nuts and Bolts” (a travel handbook with details on:
1) Getting ready, 2) Travel information, 3) Details on passports, Visas, and shots, 4) About Packing, Things to Take, and Spending Money etc

.

Things to Take
Rules and Procedures
Year and Semester Program Notes
clothes, gifts, medication, money, appliances, toiletries, Glasses and Contacts, Journals, Film, Things About You AFS Rules, Alcoholic Beverages, Travel, Spending Money, Calling Home, AFS Support, Medical Payment Attending School, Transcripts, College Entrance Exams, College Applications, Money Transfers and Bank Accounts, Sending Boxes Home, Draft Registration
Traveler's Tools: Exchange rates, weather anywhere in the world, country information and cool travel links. (opens in a new window)

• AFS Procedures and Policies as required by the US Department of State and CSIET (Council on Standards for International Educational Travel).

• AFS’s 3 Key Rules for Students: Students are expected to obey all host country laws and AFS has 3 rules to which all participants must agree. If students break any of them, they may be sent home. No illegal drugs, No driving, No hitchhiking.

There will be opportunities to join other applicants at orientation workshops held in your area where you can meet AFS returnees who will answer your questions.

Last revision November 5, 2006