The following AFS-USA Volunteers have gone above and beyond the call of duty these last few weeks. Thank you for all you do for AFS-USA students, families, staff, and other volunteers!
Nancy Bridges, Heartland KS Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
From a friend. My husband and I loved to travel and meet people from other cultures. We had been involved through our church with international students in our community. Our friends thought we might enjoy the hosting experience.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
The rewards of meeting youg people from all over the world. My husband and I love to learn about the lives and the talents of young people, and support them in their development as they grow into citizens of the world.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
I love to learn new things and even as an older person enjoy the challenge of learning how to use new technology and applications to support our volunteers and students.
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
Anything I have done as been a real team effort, and most likely what every volunteer across the country has been doing on a daily basis since the middle of March. I will just explain a few of our efforts.
My area Team co-chair, Mary Porterfield and I, made every effort to assure that the students received a Pre-return orientation as much as possible. For a few students this was not possible due to the suddenness of their departure. These orientations were delivered online via Zoom. We still have 3 students left who have not been able to be repatriated.
We have set up a Zoom get-together for those students to informally meet and process and discuss their situation and any concerns. We plan to do this regularly until which time they are able to depart.
One of our students who is still here is placed in a boarding school in Wichita. Due to many cases of CoVid-19 at the school, he is confined to a dormitory. He is experiencing the effects of isolation. I contacted a volunteer in the area asking if he could take some groceries to the young man. I would like to thank Dave Cain, a Wichita area volunteer, for making contact and taking a cart load of groceries to the young man.
Mary and I have been in frequent contact with our liaisons and host families to check in on how things were going as they awaited
Caitlin Pohl, Greater LA Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
I did a semester exchange program with AFS back when I was in high school (2009-2010) and had an incredible experience. I only recently got involved as a volunteer after moving from Boston to LA last June. Moving to a new city, I was looking for ways to get involved in the community and meet people with similar interests. I thought AFS would be a good place to start, so I reached out about volunteering.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
Although I didn’t stay very involved with AFS-USA immediately after my exchange, AFS stayed near and dear to my heart since I had such a positive and impactful experience in Argentina. I recently got involved and expect to keep coming back as a volunteer for many reasons, most salient among them being that I was supported by a wonderful team of volunteers (both in the US and abroad) while I was a student and I wish to pay that forward. I have also been meeting amazing volunteers here in LA. I love meeting other people who share my passion for intercultural learning. I’m inspired by the team’s enthusiasm and dedication to their work.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
AFS volunteers and staff might not know that I combine my love of travel and love of running – I’ve completed marathons in six different cities around the world and hope to keep that number growing!
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
During the covid-19 outbreak, I have made a few trips to LAX airport to assist with the repatriation flights. This has involved meeting students upon arrival, assisting with check-in, and in one case staying overnight in a nearby hotel with students who had an overnight layover. Through all of this, I have been so impressed by the AFS staff and volunteers in how they have managed all of the travel logistics, and also by the students who are handling a less-than-ideal situation with such grace. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to support these students in their journeys home, and get a glimpse into what international travel looks like during a global pandemic. I really admire the adaptability and resiliency I’ve seen in the students I’ve met!
Mary Porterfield, Heartland KS Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
Back in 1968, the other foreign language teacher thought our Goodland High School needed an AFS student so she and I started an AFS Chapter and began fundraising. The first AFS student arrived in 1970.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
As a retired teacher, I love interacting with teenagers, especially those from around the world. There is always something to learn about different cultures; how to improve relationships between people; and how to help “change the world one person at a time”.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
I miss playing bridge with my friends during this “shelter-in-place”.
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
Nancy and I have worked together to ease the transition of our AFS students and their host families into this new reality. She and I organized and facilitated 3 pre-return orientation webinars for as many Heartland AFS students as possible. We monitored the flights of the students to assure that everyone who needed to know were contacted. An Area Team Zoom call was held to check in with volunteers, propose host family webinars, and discuss recognition for host families, liaisons, and schools. Nancy and I have set up weekly Zoom calls with the 3 students who remain in Heartland and continue to plan for the host family webinars. We strategized about how to respond to distraught host parents. As the Volunteer Coordinator, I wrote 35+ individual thank you notes to our liaisons (forgot the put postage on one set so had to ask the Post Office personnel to retrieve them from the drop-off mailbox). Locally, when a host family couldn’t take their student to the Denver Airport, the student and I did an overnight trip to Denver to be sure she arrived on time for her early morning flight. Another host family agreed to take a 2nd student to the Denver Airport because it would have been an 5 1/2 hour drive for that student’s family. I provided them with my van and gas so there was room for the students and their luggage.
Nancy Studwell, Greater Puget Sound Area Team
Let’s start with a few basics; How did you first learn about AFS, and what prompted you to get involved?
I remember reading about AFS when I was in elementary school, fascinated by the idea that it was possible to live with a family in a foreign land, go to school and speak another language. AFS and I met again in high school where I was involved with my local chapter in suburban NY/CT. About seven years ago, I found myself rediscovering AFS in Seattle through hosting and volunteering. Arrivals and Departures in particular, never fail to recall that excitement I had about AFS in my youth.
What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?
Wanting to help support and work with students, educators, staff, host families and fellow volunteers who are as intrigued by intercultural exchange as I am, and who understand that spark of curiosity about wanting to explore the world and “real life” in another country, and create bonds in another community. And, valuing the trust and understanding we build with each other during that process. It’s something that replicates itself beyond the program.
What’s one thing that AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?
I’m a trained horticulturist!
Recently you have done something extra special to help AFS students, host families, fellow volunteers and staff. Can you give us some of the details behind these actions?
I appreciate the recognition, but “extra special” is simply business as usual for most of us AFS’ers ;- ) Thanks to GPS volunteer Molly Watanabe and GPS host mom Meredith Hailey, as they also helped with the covid-19 returns, and were essential in things going smoothly in our area, with students over-nighting and transiting through SeaTac airport.
Do you know any volunteers, host families, or returnees who have gone above the call of duty lately?
Let us know by emailing their name and story to marketing@afsusa.org!