This month AFS-USA is pleased to spotlight Linda Mellis of the Greater Chicago team. Linda has been a volunteer since 2000. Linda was an AFS student to the Netherlands and carries her love for exchange into everything she does for the Chicago team. Congratulations Linda!

How did you learn about AFS and what prompted you to get involved?

I have been involved with AFS my whole life when my parents hosted an Italian student when I was 12. I loved having an older sister. I was also an AFS exchange student to the Netherlands when I was 17. After my son went to Japan as an AFSer, I realized how important AFS is me and wanted others to have similar experiences.

What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?

AFS changed my life and being a volunteer is a way for me to give back to AFS.

What have you learned or how have you been personally affected from your experience with AFS?

I have learned about different cultures from around the world. This has helped me understand people from many cultures enriching my life and has encouraged me to share my experiences and knowledge with others. It has stimulated my love of world travel, both independently and as a chaperone and group leader with AFS.

Please share the best thing or funniest thing that’s happened to you while volunteering with AFS?

Visiting my exchange student in Indonesia, meeting his family, and learning more about his country and culture was an amazing experience. Also, I have had several rewarding experiences as an adult living with host families while traveling with AFS. Seeing another country through the eyes of a host family makes travel more interesting and provides deeper understanding of a country and its culture.

What do you want to say to people who might be interested in volunteering with AFS?

Volunteer!! It is fun, rewarding, and helps you learn about other cultures. By volunteering, you gain additional experiences, meet interesting people, and provide meaningful service to others.

What’s one thing AFS volunteers and staff don’t know about you?

I Iove being a mother and grandmother!!