The AFS Exchange

AFS-USA
  • 5.0 (2)
  • LANGUAGE LEARNING
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

In each episode of The AFS Exchange, we sit down with AFS-USA host families, students, volunteers, and educators to hear about the profound impact of their AFS experiences. Join us as we explore the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world. As a non-profit organization, AFS-USA has been empowering people to become globally engaged citizens for over 75 years. With programs in 45+ countries and hosting students from 90+ countries, AFS-USA has been creating life-changing intercultural experiences for generations. 

  1. MAR 2

    The Universal Language of AFS

    Welcome back to The AFS Exchange! We are continuing our series highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our dedicated volunteers. In this episode, we’re following up on our conversation about the Chapter Leadership Summit in Spain- but this time, from an extra international perspective. We’re joined by Alessandro, a volunteer leader from Italy who speaks the exact same AFS language as our volunteers here at home. We’ll hear about Alessandro's journey from an exchange student in the fjords of Norway to his current role as a Chapter President in Sicily. This conversation is a reminder that whether you are in Palermo or Pasadena, the goals, the struggles, and the mission of building a more peaceful world remain the same. Meet the Guest: Alessandro: An Italian AFS volunteer whose AFS journey began as an exchange student in Norway in the late 2010s. Today, he serves as the President of his local volunteer chapter in Palermo, Sicily.In this episode, we explore: The structure of AFS Italy (or Intercultura) and how it compares to AFS-USA.Why volunteer "mobility" and retention in your early 20s is a universal challenge across any AFS partner countries.Alessandro’s key takeaways from the gathering in Spain and how he’s implementing those lessons in Sicily.How AFS leadership and exchange programs serve as a vital tool to fight the fear of communities and cultures different from our own.How to get involved: Volunteer Nationally: Current volunteers can learn about national leadership roles via Help & Learning for Volunteers or by emailing askafs@afsusa.org.Not a volunteer yet? Head to afsusa.org/volunteer to get started.More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    30 min
  2. Inside the AFS Engine Room

    FEB 3

    Inside the AFS Engine Room

    Welcome back for Season 6! We are spending the first few episodes of this season highlighting the people who keep the AFS engine running: our incredible volunteers. In this premiere episode, we’re heading to Spain to follow two AFS-USA volunteers who attended the 2025 International Volunteer Summit in Málaga, Spain. We’ll hear about their unique backgrounds, the challenges of leading teams in the US, and how stepping out of their "local silos" to meet global counterparts changed their perspective on our mission. Why listen if you aren't a volunteer? Because these stories are a masterclass in human connection. It’s about what happens when people caught up in the daily grind of a local mission look up and realize they are part of a global movement. It’s a reminder that no matter where we are, we are all working toward the same common goal. Meet the Guests: Abdullah: Originally from Jordan, his first experience with AFS was as an exchange student placed in Kansas City in the mid 2010s. Now an active volunteer, he’s held leadership roles in Minneapolis and is currently helping drive the mission in Orange County, California.Ashe: Representing a 50-year AFS family legacy in Iowa, Ashe is a "legacy volunteer" who wears many hats- from School Outreach to hosting her second exchange student this year.In this episode, we explore: The "Engine Room" of AFS and the people behind the student experience.The struggle of operating in a "volunteer silo" and the cure for burnout.The impact of the first-ever Chapter Leadership Summit in Spain.How sharing ideas across borders reinvigorates local teams.More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    38 min
  3. Coming Soon: The AFS Exchange Season 6!

    TRAILER

    Coming Soon: The AFS Exchange Season 6!

    Season 6 of The AFS Exchange begins February 2026! More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    2 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    Your Exchange Toolkit: Overcoming Challenges

    In the Season 5 finale of The AFS Exchange, we tackle the reality of exchange head-on: the moments of challenge that define true growth. Hear firsthand stories from former AFS students who successfully navigated difficult situations, including communication barriers, integrating into school life, and coping with loss. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support and Learning Team join us to pull back the curtain on the support system AFS provides. They share insights and actionable guidance on how you can access help, stay grounded, and transform crises into personal milestones. Whether you're a student needing strategies, a host family looking for guidance, or a volunteer, you’ll find essential tools to manage and grow through the ups and downs of your AFS journey. Guests: Eva hosted in Germany 🇩🇪 Genevieve hosted in Türkiye 🇹🇷 Megan hosted in Paraguay 🇵🇾 Miko from Poland 🇵🇱 Amanda Brown John Hammel More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    55 min

  5. 11/08/2025 · BONUS

    2025 Volunteer Awards (Bonus Episode!)

    It's time to celebrate the heartbeat of our organization- our volunteers! In this special bonus episode, we proudly honor the six recipients of the 2025 AFS-USA Volunteer Awards. You'll hear interviews with each winner, conducted by a member of AFS-USA's Volunteer Recognition Committee. Tune in to discover the dedication and passion recognized in this year's awards season. This content was also captured as a video! If you prefer to watch the interviews, you can find the full video version on AFS-USA's YouTube channel.  A huge thank you to all the nominators, references, and judges who contributed their time and effort to make this year's awards possible! Young Volunteer Award: Carly Armstrong, World Flags Area Team Emerging Leader Award: Ally Parrill, Dallas Area Team Howe Family Award: Stephanie, Lance, and Delia Wells, Columbia Pacific Area Team Mission Award: Jody Axinn, Capital Area Team Galatti Award: Karen Small, Midland Central Area Team Dream Team Award: Capital Area Team More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    56 min

  6. 10/21/2025

    Your Exchange Toolkit: Advice for Students

    If the excitement of arrival is starting to fade and everyday life feels a little harder, this episode is for you. Hear real advice from last year’s AFS students on making friends, setting realistic goals, and handling challenges like school, homesickness, and family dynamics. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support & Learning Team share their insights and actionable guidance to help you thrive during this phase of your exchange. Whether you’re a student, host family, or volunteer, you’ll find helpful strategies to stay grounded and grow through the ups and downs of your AFS journey. Guests: Yassin from Germany 🇩🇪 Isa from Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Miko from Poland 🇵🇱 Non from Thailand 🇹🇭 Laiva from Indonesia 🇮🇩 Paagiina from Mongolia 🇲🇳 Amanda Brown John Hammel More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    45 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    The Semester Effect

    Can you really form a strong bond with an exchange student in just a few months? Sarah and Mikayla Engel-Streicher, a couple from Wisconsin, would say yes. They've welcomed three students into their home for a single semester each, proving you don't need a full year to bring the world home. We'll hear how their short-term experience connected them more to their local community and how those relationships with their students from Austria, Germany, and Belgium are still going strong years later. You'll also hear directly from two of their students, who share what that time in Wisconsin meant to them. Their story shows that you can get the full impact of AFS even if you only host for a few months. We are always looking for both semester families and Welcome Families, who bring students in at the very beginning of their program. We hope this story encourages you to get involved! Guests: Sarah Engel-Streicher  Mikayla Engel-Streicher Laura Helena More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    28 min

  8. 08/05/2025

    From Student to Supporter: Jenny’s Lifelong Impact

    AFS-USA's Mission- It's More Important Now Than Ever! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jenny Kissinger Messner, an AFS alumna who believes that our mission is more important now than ever. Her journey from student to major donor shows the lifelong impact of student exchange. We'll hear about her transformative year abroad in Brazil in 1970, how that experience shaped her life and family, and why she is so passionate about supporting the next generation of global citizens. This August, Double Your Impact! Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Jenny and the Speedwell Foundation, every dollar you give to AFS-USA in August 2025 will be matched, up to $250,000. Your donation will directly fund scholarships for students, giving them access to life-changing global experiences. Double your impact and donate now at afsusa.org/donate. Guests: Jenny Kissinger Messner Audio clips from scholarship recipients  Other Episodes About Scholarships: How Scholarships Can Change Lives The Power of Study Abroad: 4 Returnee Stories More from AFS-USA: 🏠Host a Student | ✈️Study Abroad | 🤝Volunteer | 🏫For Educators | 📧Contact the Show | 🎧Collections

    33 min
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About

In each episode of The AFS Exchange, we sit down with AFS-USA host families, students, volunteers, and educators to hear about the profound impact of their AFS experiences. Join us as we explore the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world. As a non-profit organization, AFS-USA has been empowering people to become globally engaged citizens for over 75 years. With programs in 45+ countries and hosting students from 90+ countries, AFS-USA has been creating life-changing intercultural experiences for generations. 

Information

  • Creator
    AFS-USA
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AFS-USA
  • Show Website
    The AFS Exchange