AFS

Hello Everyone!

In no disrespect to previous posts, I wanted to give a different perspective to prospective students based on my experience with AFS. AFS changed my life. I became fluent in another language, gained a new family, and learned a lot about myself and the world. This is a standard for studying abroad in general, however, I can't say that I would have had the same experience with a different organization.

AFS is professional, supportive, and their number one concern is the safety of the students-in my experience with them. They have local volunteers to support students if any issues come up with their host families (which of course it happens sometimes) and a 1 800 number for both AFS USA and the host country that is 24 hours in case you can't reach anyone in your community.
They always know where you are. For an independent, rebellious 16 year old, this isn't ideal but for my parents and my host mom it was incredible. I wanted to visit a friend in a local town and AFS instructed me to stay with a local volunteer who was a little bit older and a returnee instead of being allowed to stay with my friend or in a hostel (which is very common and safe down there). Again, being a bit rebellious, I decided to detour to another town on my way home on bus, thinking it would be no big deal, but my host mom called me in a panic, sick with worry, and AFS almost sent me home for disobeying the travel rules. Needless to say they had a close watch on me, and all of the other students.

AFS-Argentina did a phenomenal job of placing all of the students. A couple of students had to change host families due to conflicting personalities or because it just wasn't working out, but AFS took control of those situations and made sure to find them a better, more comfortable placement. I think it is important to note that there are a ton of cultural issues that come along with going abroad. Getting along with your host family and becoming part of the family is a complicated and confusing process. It is important to keep in open mind and recognize that every family has some issues. Of course, if this is a major issue that is compromising your health or safety definitely say something. AFS was good in mediating any of these issues.However, for all the prospective students out there I just want you to know this experience does not come without challenges.
Another thing I wanted to point out was that AFS goes through a lot to find families. First of all, all the families are volunteers. They do not get paid and want to have a student in their home for the cultural experience. They have to go through an extensive and rigorous application process to determine that all the members of the family are emotionally ready to host a student and that the family is financially stable to provide for another person. They must have an interview with a local volunteer (who is not monetarily reimbursed for finding a family- they are all volunteers as well) and provide three community references. I know this because I asked my host family what the application process was like for them.

In addition to that, I had a local liason who helped me with anything I needed. Granted she wasn't my favorite person just because she was older and a bit overbearing- but I knew my host family and my local liason was there for me if I needed anything. When I was homesick they set me up with another volunteer who was also a psychologist and she took me out for dinner to talk about how I felt... incredible. I didn't thank my host family or local volunteers enough for being there for me- as a 16 year old you kinda forget and I wish I had been more appreciative.

Anyway, that is my experience. I felt that since the reviews were pretty negative AFS should get some positive feedback for having such an impact on my life. I know there are A TON of people who feel the same and would encourage you to connect with people on facebook through ASK an AFSer. Also, it is important to note that AFS is the largest and longest running organization in the United States and, with that, comes greater chances for dissatisfaction or bad experience.

In my experience, AFS was 100% there for and I would highly recommend it.