AFS-USA is also pleased to spotlight Lindsay Norman of the Georgia team this month. Lindsay has been a volunteer since 2014. Lindsay has been an integral part of helping to develop the Savannah chapter in the Georgia team. Congratulations Lindsay!

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

In high school at Princeton Day School in New Jersey, I was a member and later president of the AFS club. My family hosted summer students and a year-long student from Sweden when I was a junior.

What keeps you coming back to volunteer each year?

The joy of seeing people make bridges of peace, cultural understanding and friendship between countries.

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

On my experience in DK 82-83, I learned that I love learning other languages and that fact changed the trajectory of my career path. I combined my love of children, travel, languages and education and became a French and ESOL teacher and school administrator so I could help others to learn the joy of communicating with other people around the world.

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

The best thing that has happened to me as a volunteer, is that I get to continually stoke the fire of my passion for world peace. Over and over, I am rewarded by the smiles, new friendships, learning successes, profound positive changes in individuals, families, schools and communities we work with. The funny part is how corny it sounds. The best part is that it really is true!

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

When the world sometimes seems upside-down and a little crazy all around you and you want to do your part to help make it better, come volunteer with us! With AFS, we’re making the world a better place one relationship at a time!

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

People don’t know that I spent 9 years living and teaching overseas in Alexandria, Egypt.