The AFS Hosting Advisory Group (Hosting AG), led by Sara Roberts, West Regional Director, and Heather Stertz, a volunteer from the World Flags Area Team, is a dynamic partnership uniting staff and volunteers across the country.
Tag: Featured
The temporary policy restricting all international travel during a student’s program will be lifted effective April 6, 2026.
AFS-USA recently announced our Domestic Pilot Programs for Summer 2026. Check out this article to learn more about these exciting opportunities and how students can apply!
In summer 2026, AFS-USA will launch three one-week domestic pilot programs for youth ages 15–17, bringing our educational model – reflection, dialogue, identity awareness, and cultural agility – to immersive, place-based experiences across the U.S.
Effective immediately, AFS students may travel with their host families to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These destinations will now be treated as domestic travel under our program guidelines.
The Volunteer Engagement Advisory Group (VEAG) is vital to the AFS-USA community, dedicated to supporting our national network of volunteers. Led by Patty Gentry, Director of Volunteer Engagement, and volunteer leader Kerry Gonzalez, this group serves as a strategic bridge between local efforts and national resources.
Please take a few moments to watch this video message in which Tara Hofmann shares an important update on our organization and what’s ahead.
The AFS School Outreach Advisory Group—led by Sarah Radermacher, Director of School Partnerships, and volunteer leader Jenny Treadway—helps shape how AFS connects with schools across the United States.
We are deeply saddened to share that Zdeněk Václav David, one of the very first AFS exchange students, passed away on December 15, 2025. Zed’s journey from Czechoslovakia to the U.S. in 1947 was made possible by AFS, and it set the stage for a remarkable life dedicated to learning, teaching, and connecting across cultures.
As the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for all you do.