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35 episodes
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The AFS Exchange AFS-USA
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- Society & Culture
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5.0 • 2 Ratings
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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 70 years. With programs in 45+ countries and hosting students from 90+ countries, AFS-USA has been creating life-changing intercultural experiences for generations.
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Keith, Doug, and their Danish Host Son
Keith and Doug Byron, a couple from Indiana, welcomed a Danish student into their home in 2022-2023. In this episode, the two of them discuss their initial motivations for hosting, their Danish host son's deep dive into American culture, their family's love of music and video games, and the rewarding connections made with both their student and the community. This might sound like a typical conversation with host parents- and honestly, it is! The fact that Keith and Doug are a same-sex c...
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Apartheid, Iowa, and the Aftermath: Reed and Ketsi’s Story
In this episode of The AFS Exchange, we share the incredible story of Reed Davis and Ketsi Meka, two friends separated by continents and decades. Ketsi, from South Africa, lived with Reed’s family in Iowa during 1982-83. After Ketsi returned to Apartheid South Africa, they lost touch despite Reed’s repeated efforts to reconnect.Thirty years later, Reed headed to South Africa for work and ramped up his search for Ketsi. Spoiler alert: they finally reconnect and reflect on the years since Ketsi...
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Growing Together: AFS-USA Host Sibling Experiences
AFS students bring a lot to their new families and homes. But what about when they also bring the sibling experience for the first time?In this episode, we delve into the stories of only children who suddenly found themselves with siblings overnight! Parker from Massachusetts and Reese from New York grew up as only children, but in recent years, their families have embraced hosting AFS students, adding brothers and sisters from around the globe to their lives.By welcoming AFS students, famili...
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Thank You, AFS-USA Volunteers!
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month at AFS-USA, and we're thrilled to present a special bonus episode dedicated to expressing our gratitude to our incredible AFS volunteers! They truly are the heart of our organization. In this episode, AFS-USA staff have shared heartfelt voice memos, offering shout outs to individual volunteers, teams, advisory groups, and expressing general messages of thanks.Tune in to this special bonus episode to experience the warmth and appreciation our staff has for...
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Tips from a Young Activist and AFS-USA Volunteer
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 globa...
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From Senegal to Seattle: One AFSer's Journey in the Pacific Northwest
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 ...