The AFS program is ending early in an increasing number of countries, and others will follow. We are communicating directly with the AFS students in the US whose home AFS organizations have decided to have them return home.
During the past several weeks, AFS has shortened programs in several countries, and students have returned home. Despite what you may have heard, nothing has been decided about AFS-USA’s hosting program in the United States.
Based on the realities of the situation, and after careful consideration, AFS has decided to suspend all current hosting programs in Germany.
Based on the guidance of the Spanish government, and after careful consideration, AFS has decided to suspend all current hosting programs in Spain.
First, on behalf of all of us at AFS-USA, thank you for all that you are doing to remain available to participants, host parents, educators, and others and share information that you have, while doing all that you can to create a sense of calm and confidence in AFS within your community.
Based on the guidance of the Norwegian government, and after careful consideration, AFS has decided to suspend all current hosting programs in Norway.
We’d like to share some additional guidance to help in responding to members of the AFS community (families, students, etc.).
AFS-USA has made the decision that all AFS communities in the U.S. will cease holding any in-person student orientations and other events that bring students, volunteers, or host families together.
In an email sent this morning to all current AFS Host Families, President Tara Boyce-Hofmann expressed her gratitude for each of our host families across the country who have opened their homes to an AFS Exchange Student this year.
Openness to non-traditional placements is important when it comes to finding the right student(s) for a single parent or same-sex family as well as a family who wants to host two students, but how do you know if a student is open to such a placement? You can find out by searching for Non-Traditional Placement Preferences!