Friday, November 30, 2007
AFS - Imagine
Imagine sharing the world with your family and with other families through AFS Exchange
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Benefits of Hosting an AFS Exchange Student
Recently, more than 900 families were randomly surveyed by CSIET (Council on Standards for International Educational Travel) about the benefits they received through hosting exchange students. CSIET is a non-profit organization committed to ensuring safety and quality in the international youth exchange industry.
More than 500 families said it was a learning experience not only culturally, but also socially. More than 300 families reported that it was beneficial in terms of enhancing their own families, such as providing them with extended families, and promoting interaction and mutual respect as a family. Having a cultural experience ranked as their third largest benefit, including cultural interaction and exposure to other cultures and customs.
Before deciding to host, families surveyed felt that ‘the cultural experience’ was a reason to want to host, plus many mentioned that they felt it would be something they could do that would benefit their own children. “Having never hosted before, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said one host mom who welcomed her student in 2007. “Plus, I had two teenagers already and was a single mom. Bringing a new family member into our lives made many of the simple things we took for granted stand out. It brought us all closer together in ways that we never would have otherwise. I’m particularly thankful for that because my son is going off to college next year.”
-For more survey results, visit CSIET Hosting Satisfaction Study or the CSIET website.Hear What Real AFS Host Families Have to Say About Their Experiences
“We have gained the experience of learning about a culture we knew next to nothing about. Most importantly, we formed a close bond with the student and his family, and hope that the relationship continues in the future.” - Host family of an Argentinian AFS student
“No matter how many stories we heard about family bonds that last forever, we were surprised how naturally Gam became part of our family. We were concerned about dividing our time between all three daughters. However, this was not the case. Gam fit into our family as if we had always had three girls.” - Host family of a Thai AFS student “We learned to look at how we interact as a family in a slightly different way; Barbara made us think about why we did things the way we did, and we learned to take into consideration a different point of view. We have another daughter/sister now, although she is living in another country. It makes the world much smaller than I thought it was.” - Host family of an Austrian AFS student.
“I think we all gained something special from the experience. It probably brought us together as a family as a result. It was my son who became the closest to Rafik and was probably the most emotional at having to say good-bye to him.” - Host family of an Egyptian AFS student
Do you have an experience as a Host Family you would like to Share? Feel free to reply to this blog or email: afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com
For More information about Becoming a Host family or learning more about the options, and you are in the Baltimore/Washington DC Area contact: afsbaltimorechapter@yahoo.com or 1-800-876-2377
All others interested in Hosting nationwide contact: 1-800-AFSINFO for more Information.
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."
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 ThailandAn 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:
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:
- Advertise your event with signs and posters.
- 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.
- Be at the advertised location well ahead of time. Some parents may be early.
- Let the parents know ahead of time how much you will be charging per hour for each child. Or take a free-will donation.
- 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.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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?
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