The AFSer's Guide to Getting There: Vol. III, issue 2

As you look for ways to make your student exchange possible, check out a few of the scholarship opportunities in this issue. Also read suggestions from AFS students on how you might approach your parents with the idea of studying abroad. Remember, now is the time to apply for programs departing summer/fall 2008. Complete the full application by December 31st, 2007 to receive the Early Application Discount.

How to Approach Your Parents
So you've decided you want to become an exchange student! Maybe your parents are fully supportive and ready to help you make this a reality...great! Or maybe your situation is not so perfect. Do you parents think you're dreaming an impossible dream?You might consider first presenting them with all of the facts. A future AFSer named Kendra compiled an (amazingly thorough) 10 page packet that helped convince her father she was ready for a study abroad experience in Italy. This included things like a heartfelt letter to her father about Italy and why she was ready, Map of the Country, How she could contribute and more... visit the following link in the title above for complete details of how or contact: afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com or reply to this blog.

Cargill Global Exchange Fund Scholarship
If you live in a community near a Cargill facility, you could be eligible for a scholarship of up to $4,000. AFS is once again partnering with Cargill in offering year-and semester-long educational exchange scholarships in Latin America and Asia.

Student nominations and applications are due by January 8th. (You can even nominate yourself!) To apply. and get more information about eligibility, send message to afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com or call (800) AFS-INFO. You may also click on the title link above or reply to this blog.

Focus on Thailand
An AFSer named Maryn had this to say about her experience in Thailand:"Within AFS Thailand there's an incredible network and constant dialog between the host family, the advisor, and the organization. The camps were great, we got to do a lot of activities, and I got to experience a lot. Dive in and take chances, try new foods, try to speak Thai, make new friends, don't turn down opportunity. I would seriously recommend foreign exchange to anyone who seriously wants to do it and will put forth effort. It opens eyes. I learned things that I am still finding out, and so much about human interaction and the kind of person I want to be. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything."

Fundraising for the Holidays: Parent's Night Out
Here's a fundraising idea from the AFS-USA bulletin board:

Offer one night (or several nights) in December for parents to let you watch their kids. This is a great chance for parents to do some Christmas shopping.

Items needed:

• A place to hold the event
• Toys, games, and activities for the kids

Time required:

• 1 hour preparation - 4 hours baby sitting

Amount you can expect to raise:

• $100 - $200

How to make it happen:

1. Advertise your event with signs and posters.
2. Collect games and toys for the kids and get a friend or two to help you in case there are more kids than you can handle.
3. Be at the advertised location well ahead of time. Some parents may be early.
4. Let the parents know ahead of time how much you will be charging per hour for each child. Or take a free-will donation.
5. Be sure to specify the latest time that the parents can pick up their kids.

AFS offers high school students a summer, semester, or year abroad in Thailand & other countries, as well as an 18+ community service semester program.

For More Tips , ideas & General Information, visit: www.afs.org/usa or contact: afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com or 1-800-AFS-INFO

You may also just Comment to this Blog and we will be more than happy to help with your questions.

Opportunites in 2008 to Travel Abroad

This Year, American Students have many opportunities to explore the world and learn about other cultures. How wonderful would it be to spend the summer exploring the Aztec temple, or tasting authentic Italian Food in Italy. What about sports, imagine having the opportunity to play soccer with the Paraguayan National Team. All while you are learning more about a county than you could ever hope to imagine while on vacation to any of these locations.

Not to mention, this is an opportunity for young people to get a taste of independence and show the world they are brighter than today, and bigger than their Neighborhood! AFS provides that opportunity to have their piece of the world...why not grab it?

To learn more about AFS in general, please visit: www.afs.org/usa or call 1-800-AFS-INFO. If you are in the Baltimore/DC Metropolitan Area, please feel free to contact: afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com or 1-800-876-2377 for more Information

AFS & Student Feedback about their Experience in Baltimore

AFS has been a leader in Foreign Exchange opportunities for High School students for 60 years. AFS has sent students to more than 100 countries over those years. In the Baltimore area, there have been 100s of students who have travelled abroad with AFS. Likewise, there has been 100s of Foreign Students hosted in the Baltimore area. This year, AFS' 60th Anniversary year, AFS Eastern Region is again the largest hosting area - hosting nearly 1000 of the 2300 AFS Exchange Student who arrived in the U.S. this summer. That is an amazing accomplishment to say the least (Go East Coast!).

This year in the Baltimore Chapter has achieved a major milestone of hosting 17 students between Baltimore City/County, Carroll County and Frederick County in Maryland. As an entire team, the Baltimore Area Team is currently hosting 44 studnets this year (this includes Howard County). This is 12 students above our original goal of 32. That is amazing strides toward cultural awareness and the AFS peace mission. This is all due to the dedication and support of local volunteers and wonderful host families.

Students who come to the US with AFS are hosted for a School year or school semester. AFS Host families volunteer their homes and their lives to share with an enterprising young person from another country. AFS also gives opportunties for American youth to experience the same opportunity. American students have some advantages. Not only do they travel for the Year or Semester, they can also travel for the summer. For many countries, students aren't required to have prior knowledge of the language as they are very open to help student succeed and learn the language.

This is an amazing opportunity that many can tell you is all worth it. In fact, this is the main reason for this particular blog post, it is always wonderful to hear back from other AFS Returnees as well as Foreign Students who have either traveled from the Baltimore area or to the Baltimore Area (and beyond)...

How was your AFS experience and how has it changed your life?