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PODCAST

The AFS Exchange

In each episode of The AFS Exchange, we sit down with AFS-USA host families, students, volunteers, and educators to hear about the profound impact of their AFS experiences. Join us as we explore the knowledge and skills needed to help create a more just and peaceful world.As a non-profit organization, AFS-USA has been empowering people to become globally engaged citizens for over 75 years. With programs in 45+ countries and hosting students from 90+ countries, AFS-USA has been creating life-changing

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All Episodes

56:13

2025 Volunteer Awards (Bonus Episode!)

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/11/08

It's time to celebrate the heartbeat of our organization- our volunteers! In this special bonus episode, we proudly honor the six recipients of the 2025 AFS-USA Volunteer Awards. You'll hear interviews with each winner, conducted by a member of AFS-USA's Volunteer Recognition Committee. Tune in to discover the dedication and passion recognized in this year's awards season. This content was also captured as a video! If you prefer to watch the interviews, you can find the full video version on ...

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45:20

Your Exchange Toolkit: Advice for Students

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/10/21

If the excitement of arrival is starting to fade and everyday life feels a little harder, this episode is for you. Hear real advice from last year’s AFS students on making friends, setting realistic goals, and handling challenges like school, homesickness, and family dynamics. Amanda and John from AFS-USA’s Participant Support & Learning Team share their insights and actionable guidance to help you thrive during this phase of your exchange. Whether you’re a student, host family, or volunt...

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27:41

The Semester Effect

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/09/09

Can you really form a strong bond with an exchange student in just a few months? Sarah and Mikayla Engel-Streicher, a couple from Wisconsin, would say yes. They've welcomed three students into their home for a single semester each, proving you don't need a full year to bring the world home. We'll hear how their short-term experience connected them more to their local community and how those relationships with their students from Austria, Germany, and Belgium are still going strong years later...

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32:42

From Student to Supporter: Jenny’s Lifelong Impact

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/08/05

AFS-USA's Mission- It's More Important Now Than Ever!In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jenny Kissinger Messner, an AFS alumna who believes that our mission is more important now than ever. Her journey from student to major donor shows the lifelong impact of student exchange. We'll hear about her transformative year abroad in Brazil in 1970, how that experience shaped her life and family, and why she is so passionate about supporting the next generation of global

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41:15

The New Normal

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/07/14

Follow along with Michael, a first-time host dad, as he recounts his year hosting an exchange student from Germany. From the initial decision to host and the anticipation leading up to his student's arrival, to how Michael's daily routine shifted, you'll hear how opening his home led him to become much more involved in his local New Jersey community and learning more about himself. You'll also discover how Michael and his husband Allen got to dive deep into the cultures and customs of German...

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43:28

Adventures in Adaptability: Learning (and Bonding) in...

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/06/17

In July 2023, eleven strangers met for the first time in an airport hotel lobby outside JFK. Just three weeks later, they had lived a lifetime of adventures. In this episode, we're taking you to Kenya for a three-week Global Prep program focused on wildlife conservation and Maasai culture. But as this group of U.S. students journeyed across the country, they found something more: an unexpected bond that transformed them from strangers into a tight-knit group. We’ll hear from three participant...

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42:15

Just Say Yes: Finding Community Abroad

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/05/14

Studying abroad is an incredible adventure, but it can sometimes feel a little isolating. So, how do you actually find your community when you're miles from home? This month, we explore various ways AFSers have connected beyond the classroom. We hear from Megan, Eva, and Esha, who share their personal stories of finding community, including in some unexpected places. From a German class in Paraguay to a community theater group in Germany, their experiences highlight the importance of putting...

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33:11

The Curious Trunk & the Lost Cairn: An AFS...

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/04/14

Welcome back to The AFS Exchange for the second part of our Founders' Day celebration! After covering the "when" and "what" of AFS's start in WWI in our last episode, we're now diving into the "who"- the people who were there, the early volunteer drivers. Join us as we talk with historian Thomas Fife and get a glimpse into the lives of four of these individuals, uncovering some truly unexpected connections and poignant moments. We'll also hear about Thomas's own journey into this ...

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34:49

Driving Change: The Legacy of AFS Volunteers

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/04/03

For this year's AFS Founders' Day, observed on April 7th, we delve into the remarkable origins of the organization during World War I. This episode recounts the story of the American Field Service, where young American volunteers courageously served as ambulance drivers, years before the US even officially entered the war. The journey from those early days to the AFS we know now is filled with wealthy socialites, treacherous drives, at least one unpleasant breakup, and the raw determination ...

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30:40

Self Discovery Beyond the Bell

The AFS Exchange ·

2025/03/13

Season 5 kicks off with stories of self-discovery through American school activities. Ayya from Indonesia explores theater, Sama from Egypt embarks on a creative journey, and Danisa from South Africa takes on cheerleading. From coast to coast, these students embrace new challenges, build skills, and form lasting relationships. Their experiences highlight the profound impact of international exchange. Tune in to discover how AFS-USA students find themselves through new pursuits. Guests: Ayya S...

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27:09

Open Your Home, Open Your Heart: Celebrating Host...

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/12/17

In this Season 4 finale, we celebrate the powerful connections formed between host families and exchange students.Hear inspiring stories from past episodes: Jutta learns about Senegalese culture from her host daughter, Diarra; Justin and Chad reflect on the positive impact hosting has had on their son; Kakeru, inspired by his own host mom, hopes to pass his positive experience along and become a host parent himself; and Keith and Doug share the heartwarming welcome they received from their ho...

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25:59

Connecting Communities, Changing Lives: Inside the...

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/11/21

Join me at the 2024 AFS-USA Summit in Dallas, Texas- a weekend packed with connection, inspiration, and a few unexpected surprises. This year’s theme, Connecting Communities, Changing Lives, brought together volunteers, host families, and staff from across the country to share ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and recharge around the AFS mission. From the buzzing Marketplace and heartwarming awards ceremony to insightful sessions and a lively line-dance lesson, the weekend was unforgettable. ...

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32:52

The Power of Study Abroad: 4 Returnee Stories

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/10/14

In this episode, we hear from four recent returnees who participated in AFS programs in France, Japan, Spain, and the Czech Republic. We begin with a deeper conversation with Selina, who spent a transformative summer in France with AFS after feeling the need for a change following the isolation of the COVID lockdown. Her experience abroad motivated her to continue studying internationally, leading her to finish high school in Costa Rica. After Selina’s story, we hear from three scholarship re...

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32:42

Becoming a Global Family

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/09/16

Ever wondered what it's like to have a new brother every year? Justin and Chad, a couple from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can tell you! They've been hosting AFS students for years, and their 3-year-old son, Everett, has grown up with a global family.In this episode, they share stories about the impact of hosting on their lives and the lasting bonds they've formed with their international sons, and Everett's brothers. Hear how their family has been introduced to new cultures, experiences, and even t...

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36:35

Crossing Borders, Overcoming Barriers: Kakeru's...

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/08/19

“And that kind of moment of breakthrough has been helping me for the rest of my life, right? Whenever I face any difficulty or struggles, I know there's a way to break through by my own efforts. And there are things that I can control.”In this episode, we’re going to talk about the power of turning things around- pushing through difficult experiences, realizing when you’re low, and pulling yourself out of the darkness. For Kakeru from Japan, that turning point came when he was studying in Cal...

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34:54

Keith, Doug, and their Danish Host Son

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/07/18

Keith and Doug Byron, a couple from Indiana, welcomed a Danish student into their home in 2022-2023. In this episode, the two of them discuss their initial motivations for hosting, their Danish host son's deep dive into American culture, their family's love of music and video games, and the rewarding connections made with both their student and the community. This might sound like a typical conversation with host parents- and honestly, it is! The fact that Keith and Doug are a same-sex c...

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34:59

Apartheid, Iowa, and the Aftermath: Reed and Ketsi’s...

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/06/13

In this episode of The AFS Exchange, we share the incredible story of Reed Davis and Ketsi Meka, two friends separated by continents and decades. Ketsi, from South Africa, lived with Reed’s family in Iowa during 1982-83. After Ketsi returned to Apartheid South Africa, they lost touch despite Reed’s repeated efforts to reconnect.Thirty years later, Reed headed to South Africa for work and ramped up his search for Ketsi. Spoiler alert: they finally reconnect and reflect on the years since Ketsi...

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42:43

Growing Together: AFS-USA Host Sibling Experiences

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/05/14

AFS students bring a lot to their new families and homes. But what about when they also bring the sibling experience for the first time?In this episode, we delve into the stories of only children who suddenly found themselves with siblings overnight! Parker from Massachusetts and Reese from New York grew up as only children, but in recent years, their families have embraced hosting AFS students, adding brothers and sisters from around the globe to their lives.By welcoming AFS students, famili...

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36:54

Thank You, AFS-USA Volunteers!

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/04/29

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36:27

Tips from a Young Activist and AFS-USA Volunteer

The AFS Exchange ·

2024/04/10

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