Host Family Placement

From AFSWiki

Matching students with host families is a complex process that works a little differently in each AFS partner country. It is not a process that we want to rush, because 2nd only to your child’s health and safety, our next priority is ensuring the success of her experience abroad. It is very common for students not to receive their host family or placement details until the month prior to departure.

AFS host families come in all shapes and sizes, just like families do here. This family has been chosen and screened by the partner country, and they feel like this is a good match for your child. Being flexible and open-minded is an integral part of the AFS experience. A student's host family will inevitably differ from his or her natural family in some ways. These differences are part of what makes the AFS experience so rich. Learning how to fit into a new family culture and forming deep relationships with a host family can be among the most challenging and gratifying experiences that a participant will have. It's important to remember that this is a learning experience for both parties, not just the AFS participant.