Experience your world through the eyes of a young person from another country
Welcome the world into your home
Help an international student realize her dreams to go global
Apply to become a host familyAn amazing cultural journey for the entire family
It can't be described, it has to be experienced
“There are times in a life that you cannot describe, those you simply have to experience. It’s that feeling we as parents had when someone else’s child called us mom and dad when he called us from across the world to tell us he enrolled in a university or that he has a girlfriend. These things are indescribable, and only those who experience it can understand.”
–Alisa Salopek, host mother from Serbia
What is an AFS host family?
AFS has invited families to welcome international students into their homes since 1947. Long considered a key element in the well being of exchange students, host families provide so much more than shelter and meals.
What type of families is AFS seeking?
What is expected of host families?
What is a host family's financial obligation?
How to become an AFS host family
Learn more and apply
You've been selected
Get ready to host
An all new AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey
Specifically designed for AFS host families
The AFS Host Family Program is now supported by the AFS Host Family Intercultural Learning Journey, built on specific intercultural learning objectives and facilitated by trained staff and volunteers. The Journey includes orientation sessions, facilitated discussions and other learning activities and reflection—all to enable the family to better support their hosted student and explore and build their intercultural awareness and understanding as individual global citizens and as a family.
Learn more about it