The AFS Exchange AFS-USA

Katherine, a young AFS-USA volunteer from California, is deeply passionate about activism. In 2023, she engaged in AFS-USA’s Youth Ambassador Sustainability Project, a 7-week online leadership course for emerging leaders. During this program, she established a partnership with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. Katherine shares practical advice for aspiring changemakers eager to embark on their own journey toward effecting change.
In this episode, we delve into global perspectives and explore Taiwan. Katherine also took part in the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program in Taipei during the summer of 2023. This experience intensified her commitment to driving change. She emphasizes the significance of international collaboration in achieving sustainability, advocating for mutual understanding, acceptance of differences, and embracing diverse perspectives.


Guest:
Katherine Verrando


Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org

March is host family appreciation month at AFS-USA - a huge shoutout to all AFS host families! This month, we're excited to share an interview featuring a host mother-daughter pair from Washington: Jutta and Diarra.

Diarra from Senegal is having a truly culture-rich year in Seattle with the Mackensen-von Stieglitz family, who moved from Germany to the U.S. about 20 years ago. Alongside trying out new activities like ice skating, bowling, and indulging in breakfast burritos, Diarra is learning about German culture and some words of the language.

In this episode we hear about Diarra’s year so far in the U.S., and how she has grown. We also hear Jutta share insights into her family’s rich cultural history and the reasons behind their decision to host a student this year.

The story of Diarra and Jutta is just one among the hundreds of AFS families across the U.S. this year. A heartfelt thank you to all AFS host families, both past and present. Interested in becoming a future AFS host family? Check out afsusa.org/host for more information.

Guests:
Diarra
Jutta von Stieglitz

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org

In Season 3 of the AFS Exchange Podcast we've had the privilege of engaging with 28 guests across 12 episodes, each sharing impactful stories about how AFS has shaped their lives. To cap it off, we're excited to share a special episode which showcases some of the season's standout moments. And to mix it up, we've included amusing clips that didn't make the final edits, and some cultural deep dives from the season! You'll also hear from our podcast host Kate about the history of the show and some behind-the-scenes moments.

Season 4 will be launching soon! Until then, check out any of the previous 28 episodes of The AFS Exchange at afsusa.org/podcast or wherever you’re reading this message here :)

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org

Mert Özer from Türkiye and Ann Ford from New Jersey are halfway through their year together as AFS exchange student and host mother. Living in a home with two very active dogs, they share an appreciation for music.
From afar, they may seem like a unique pair. Mert is blind and Ann was born with a hearing impairment. But this has not stopped them from forming a close relationship. 

Tune in to hear about Mert’s experience in New Jersey, and the new experiences he has had on his AFS program- including dancing, living with dogs, and attending shows at Madison Square Garden!

Mert is a participant on the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES Program) which partners with Mobility International USA (MIUSA) to support exchange students living with disabilities. 


Guests:
Mert Özer
Ann Ford

YES Program: www.yesprograms.org
MIUSA: www.miusa.org
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org

Each AFS participant's experience on program varies, but Deb Moon and Juliette Cosh's summer in Cyprus stands out as truly unique.

Deb and Juliette, along with five other AFS students, were on this small island in 1974 when the Greek Cypriot military supported a coup to overthrow the country’s president. A few days later, the northern part of the country was invaded by the Turkish. Deb and Juliette were then evacuated to Lebanon.

In this episode we'll explore the typical questions about AFS experiences, such as host families and skills gained. However, the focus will be on their gripping experience fleeing Cyprus during a period of uncertainty. It was during this tumult that they developed a friendship, one that has persisted over the years.

Nearly five decades later, Deb and Juliette remain close friends, having met up multiple times. Most recently, they reunited in Utah during the summer with another participant from the Cyprus program, who was evacuated to England.

Tune in to this episode to hear about the journey these two AFSers had in Cyprus and Lebanon, and discover how this unforgettable experience ignited a lifelong friendship that has endured through the decades.

Guests:
Deb Moon
Juliette Cosh

Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org

Celebrate International Education Week with us as we chat with two dynamic educators dedicated to instilling global competence in their classrooms. In this episode, we explore the significance of global competence through the experiences of Hannah Arrington from Bellaire High School in Houston, TX, and Ellen Ericson from Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet, IL.
Both Hannah and Ellen, seasoned travelers and advocates for global learning, are eager to share their insights with students, regardless of their academic focus. AFS has played a crucial role in supporting their mission.


Join us as we delve into the adventures abroad that shaped Hannah and Ellen, discover their paths into education, and understand the pivotal role global competence education plays in their classrooms. Learn how both educators are actively participating in the AFS Global Up Americas virtual exchange program, enhancing their teaching skills and connecting their students with counterparts in Mexico or Colombia. Tune in for inspiring stories and witness their shared commitment, in collaboration with AFS, to cultivating global citizens in the classroom.

Guests:
Hannah Arrington
Ellen Ericson


Study Abroad with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/study-abroad
Volunteer with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/volunteer
Host with AFS-USA: www.afsusa.org/host
Educator Resources: www.afsusa.org/educators
Contact us: podcast@afsusa.org