General

What is AFS?

It is impossible to describe AFS in short. Maybe have a look at the About AFS page or the Wikipedia entry.

What is a chapter?

A chapter is an area which has AFS volunteer community. Many AFS partner countries divide their country into chapters. Each chapter has volunteers to help you and support you.

Sending

Will I be placed in a city centre?

You will find out when AFS partner country arrange the placement. AFS does not guarantee the location of where you will be going. You could be in suburban, urban, or rural area where AFS has local volunteers to support you.

Can I go to a particular school / community organisation I want to go to?

No. AFS partner country will find a school within their chapters so that students, natural family and host family feel more secure and comfortable. It is up to AFS partner country to decide which school they place you to.

I know a family in the country I am applying for. Can they be my host family?

Yes, only if the family is approved by AFS partner country. In order to arrange this, you will have to give us the name, contact details and the information on how you know the family. We will contact AFS partner country about this and they will get in touch with the family over there. Once AFS partner country approves the family to host you, then they will be your host family. If AFS partner country does not approve this, then you will stay with a host family arranged by AFS.

I am going on 18+ Community Service Program. Will I be living with a host family?

For community service programs, you could be living with a host family or living in the community organisation depends on the placement AFS partner country arrange for you.

What can I do if I have a problem with the host family?

The first step is to speak to your local volunteer contacts. They are trained to help you overcome any issues with your host family. Issues and conflicts within a host family are a very normal part of your exchange, and is a part of your adjustment into a new culture. AFS will always try to work these issues out between you and your host family. Host family changes are only used as a very last resort.

What will my host family pay for?

Host families are only expected to cover food and board. ANY extra's, including school books, uniforms, trips must be covered by the participant.

Can I bring friends to the host family / accommodation?

You will have to ask your host family directly. Some family feel uncomfortable for strangers to enter their house. It is important to respect each family and country’s lifestyle. If you are in 18+ community service program and living in the community organisation, you can ask the manager there.

Can I choose the grade/year I am studying in the hosting school?

No. AFS partner countries choose the grade/year you are joining based on their school system, maturity of local students, international academic standard and more. There is a possibility that you will be placed in the year lower than what you would be in Australian school based on those reasons. However, if you work hard and do well, you could ask your hosting school and they may consider.

I want to stay in the country with my host family longer than the program end date. Is that possible?

Yes, this is possible, but you will need to have a Program Release approved by AFS first. If you find this is an option for you, please speak to your local volunteers to organise this.

Can my natural parents visit me in my host community?

AFS strictly discourages natural parents visiting students, as it disrupts the program and their adjustment into the culture. If natural parents do visit the local community, they need to get approval through AFS to visit their child. Most AFS countries do not allow participants to stay with the natural parents or travel with them, however will allow day visits, as long as the host family and school are not disrupted.

My family wants to pick me up at the end of the program and travel together before returning to Australia. Is that possible?

Yes, however this requires a Program Release to be approved by your host country first. Please contact your local AFS representative to discuss this. Please note that AFS programs aim for participants to attend local school/organisation with local people and experience what it is like to live in another country. An AFS program is not a leisure or travelling program.

I want to visit and stay at my friend’s house in the partner country at the end of the program before returning to Australia. Is that possible?

This is approved on a case by case basis, and requires a Program Release. Please contact your local AFS representative to discuss this. Please note that AFS programs aim for participants to attend local school/organisation with local people and experience what it is like to live in another country. An AFS program is not a leisure or travelling program.

Will I get to travel around my host country?

There MAY be some AFS trips during your program, however this is not always the case. AFS is not a tour company. You are on exchange to learn as much as possible about the local culture where you are hosted. Host families are not expected to take you traveling. If you local AFS community organises local trips, then you are welcome to take part in these.