Volunteer to be an AFS-USA Host Family or Liaison for an Exchange Student

Volunteer host families 

Volunteer host families host an exchange student with AFS. Discover a deeper appreciation for different cultures and our shared humanity by welcoming an AFS international exchange student into your home and heart for a year, a semester, or 6 - 12 weeks. With the dedicated support of AFS-USA, your family will create a lifelong bond that spans cultures and countries.

Volunteer liaisons 

Liaison The Liaison serves as the "first responder" in the communication network connecting with the local AFS volunteer leadership and staff as needed to provide participant support. The liaison is not responsible for solving problems or resolving conflicts for participants and families, but rather to provide support for them so that they can do so themselves.

Basic functions

• Provide an objective ear to both participants and families by maintaining regular contact with both parties

• Help both the participant and host family define their expectations for their AFS experience

• Help the family and participant work together through normal adjustment experiences

• Keep appropriate Support Volunteers informed about potential support situations as they develop • Maintain confidentiality Training Offered Approximately 3 hours of required online training for volunteers new to the role. 1 hour online training required annually, 21 years of age or older Time Required Between 1 and 5 hours per month. (Varies depending upon the student and family)

AFS programs foster transformation that lasts a lifetime. Today’s exchange students are tomorrow’s changemakers: diplomats; thought leaders; influencers in the international business and non-profit communities. Every new exchange student is another global citizen in progress—an individual primed to help build a more just and peaceful world.