AFS Intercultural Programs (formerly the American Field Service) is accepting applications from local families interested in opening their homes and lives to Exchange Students who will be attending high school in the Seattle area. AFS is a worldwide nonprofit that has been leading international high school student exchange for more than 60 years.

More than 2,500 AFS Exchange Students arrive in the U.S. each year to be welcomed into families, high schools, and communities. Host families provide a bed and meals, share their daily lives with students, and help guide and support students as they would their own children. AFS differs from many other exchange organizations thanks to its network of thousands of volunteers in the U.S., many of whom have hosted themselves or studied abroad with AFS. In addition to paid staff, over 300 local volunteers for AFS-Greater Puget Sound support families, their hosted students, and schools to ensure everybody gets the most out of the hosting experience.

Damian Pisanelli has been involved with AFS for many years. “In addition to volunteering with AFS, I’ve hosted students from Germany, France, Finland, and other countries. Each experience has been different and challenging, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Through hosting, I learned while every student is unique, I could be the mentor and role model that would help each to have the best possible exchange in the US.”

Families who wish to host an AFS Exchange Student or students seeking more information about AFS programs and scholarships for going abroad, please call 1-800-AFS-INFO or visit www.afsusa.org.

About AFS & AFS- Greater Puget Sound
AFS is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that has been leading international high school student exchange for more than 60 years. Each year, AFS-USA sends thousands of US students abroad, provides approximately $3 million in scholarships and financial aid, and welcomes 2,500 international high school students who come to study in US high schools and live with host families. In addition to a paid staff, more than 6,000 volunteers in the US and tens of thousands more world-wide make the work of AFS possible. Visit www.afsusa.org for more information.

AFS-Greater Puget Sound is one of the most active chapters in the country, hosting and sending over 180 students to and from over 30 countries every year. Visit www.afsgps.org for more information