Hosting Safety
From AFSWiki
Sometimes when looking for a host family, parents have questions about the safety of the hosted student and what role AFS plays in that. These points should help for talking with families about safety.
AFS Info Center, Discussion Participant Safety
The primary operating value of AFS is concern for the welfare, safety, and security of our student participants. AFS has operated during times of war, terrorist events and natural disasters. Through 6 decades of experience, we have maintained an exemplary record of safety in ensuring the welfare of our participants around the world.
1. AFS-USA works closely with the US State Department and monitors travel advisories to evaluate the safety of our programs.
2. AFS-USA exchanges with a network of partner countries that operate with the same history, operating values and quality standards: http://www.afs.org/AFSI/content/page.php?uid=14
3. AFS has been evaluated and deemed to meet CSIET's national standards. The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to identify reputable international youth exchange programs, to provide leadership and support to the exchange and educational communities so that youth are provided with meaningful and safe international exchange experiences, and to promote the importance and educational value of international youth exchange. CSIET has been promoting international youth exchanges since 1984.
4. All participants have illness and accident coverage, an emergency management system around the world and 24/7 emergency telephone access.
5. Students, host families and natural families are prepared for their experiences through orientations.
6. Students live with volunteer host families and become integrated into their schools and communities.
7. A dedicated community of AFS volunteers and staff continually support students and families in the host country and here in the US.
8. If political or social climates in a partner country should change while participants are abroad, AFS-USA communicates directly with the US State Department and our partner countries. AFS will assess the situation and take immediate action to ensure participants’ safety. In extreme situations, the student may be returned to their home country.
See Also
- Safety Tips for the USA
- Which is provided to students hosted in the US, included with the Welcome to the USA packet.
- Student Safety Policy
- Which discusses volunteer & host family background checks, screening, and vetting. Also includes discussion of training, orientation and reporting requirements, and promotional and website guidelines.
