Sending FAQs

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 Frequently Asked Questions

This page details some frequently asked questions (FAQ) and their corresponding responses.


Frequently asked questions about sending.

Contents

Motivation

Study abroad is usually a college thing. Why should I go as a high school student?

Both college and high-school exchanges are immensely important, and we love to see people who do both -- but there are differences.
The core of most AFS high school programs is a stay with a volunteer host family whose primary motivation is to establish a deep friendship with someone from another culture. From the inside of a host family, AFS students have the rare opportunity to experience another culture from a perspective not typically available to adult visitors. As students get to college-age and beyond, it's more difficult to for both students and host families to establish such a close bond. That is why, during a typical study-abroad experience in college, students spend most of their time with other students in an academic context.
Second, if you're relatively new to the language of your host country, you may need months of immersion before you're comfortable studying in it. You can learn about yourself, your host country, and make friends during this time, but academically, your first priority will be learning the language rather than the subject material. Why take time away from your college academics to study language, when you take care of that before starting college? During an AFS experience in high school or during a Gap Year, you can better prepare yourself to take international, college-level classes in their original language.

Is it safe?

AFS is an experienced, worldwide leader in high school student exchange that has an exemplary safety record. Our primary operating value is concern for the welfare, safety, and security of our student participants. If it wasn't, our organization and its trusted reputation would not have lasted for over 60 years.
AFS has a professional network of experienced staff and volunteers who provide support in each country. An AFS Situation Response Management Team is in place at all times to monitor events throughout the world and respond in case of crisis.

Programs

What kind of programs do you have?

AFS has programs in over 40 different countries around the world, each of varying length. We have year, semester and short, 4-6 week summer programs. The Year and Semester programs are primarily academic, while our Summer programs have a number of different options, including language study and community service.

What can I expect when I get to my host country?

An arrival orientation will introduce you to your new country, as well as to other AFS Participants. You’ll meet your host family who will provide you with your housing, food, and the same care they give their own children. AFS Host Families do not receive monetary compensation. Since this is a new family, language, and culture, there are some adjustments you will have to make. However, you’ll have the support of local AFS Staff and Volunteers, and you’ll learn how to take care of yourself pretty quickly.

Qualifications

How old do you have to be?

The general rule of thumb is that a student has to be 15 years of age by the day of departure. Some programs are closed to students over 18 years of age, but there are plenty of 18+ & Community Service Programs, that let you experience a new culture by volunteering with a community-based organization.

See also Available Programs.

How strict are the age limits listed in the catalog?

Depending on the country and the program, age restrictions may be flexible. Many times the age limits are due to visa or governmental restrictions in the host country; however, if you are only too old or too young by a few days or months you may have a good chance of being accepted by your country of choice. For more information, please consult the birthdate age ranges listed on the AFS-USA website.

See Available Programs.

Do I have to know the language of the country I want to go to?

A few destination countries require previous language experience, but most do not. Check the country pages for details. Some programs include formal language instruction, either at the beginner or advanced level, as a key focus of the experience.
We recommend that all students gain at least some familiarity with the language and culture of their host country before departing. The sooner you learn the language, the easier your cultural adjustment will be.

Can I learn a new language while I'm abroad?

Yes. Many AFS Participants start with little or no experience in the language of their host country, but learn to communicate at a basic level very soon. There is no better way to learn a language than by speaking it 24/7!
By the end of their semester or year abroad, many AFS Participants are fluent in their host country’s language. An academic study of the impacts of AFS programs showed AFS past participants, or "returnees", received huge language benefits from AFS programs. For example, 52% of US returnees are fluent in one or more foreign languages (that's over 40% of summer-program returnees, and over 60% of semester- and year-program returnees). Only 21% of the US control group (the returnees' peers who didn't become AFSers) could say the same thing. About 15% of US returnees speak two or more foreign languages -- 10% of summer-program returnees and 20% of sem/year-program returnees. 5.6% of the US control group does.

What is the GPA requirement?

For year and semester programs the GPA requirement is at least a 2.8 on a 4-point scale. In some cases, it is possible to compensate for a slightly lower GPA by including several teacher recommendations and by having the applicant sign an academic commitment form. If special circumstances led to poor academic performance, include a letter explaining those circumstances with your application. The acceptance of students who do not have the minimum GPA required will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
There is no fixed GPA requirement for Summer Programs, but students must have a passing GPA.

Country Preferences

Can I attend an IB (International Baccalaureate) school?

  • AFS cannot currently honor requests for placement in an IB program abroad. Most IB schools are private schools with tuition and fees too high to be covered by AFS's tuition. In addition, restricting placement to a small number of schools would limit AFS's ability to find the most appropriate host family for you.

What if I'm vegetarian?

Some countries accept vegetarians without a problem and others don't accept them at all. It is good for a student to be flexible in country choice. Here is a table for Placing vegetarians.

What if I will have graduated by the time I go abroad?

Academics

Will my high school accept academic credit from a high school abroad?

Most U.S. high schools will give you academic credit for some of your AFS experience abroad. However, having all the materials your school needs to process the transfer of needed credits is your responsibility. Make sure you talk to your guidance counselor about your school’s specific guidelines. You can find more detailed info for students on the website at: [1].

How can I do AFS and still graduate with my high school class?

  • AFS's summer programs are one easy way to achieve this.
  • You can also make AFS a Gap Year between high school and college. See the AFS website for programs available to recent high school graduates.
  • It's quite possible to spend a year or a semester abroad with AFS and still complete high school within four years. See academic credit for study abroad.
  • You can sometimes meet US-specific requirements such as American History or Civics through summer sessions or internet-based high school classes.
  • Yet another tactic some AFS students have used is to spend their senior year of high school abroad, not bother to claim credit from their home high school, and gain a high school diploma through the GED.
  • Here are Tips on credit transfer.

Can I take the SAT while I'm abroad?

You can take the SAT in many countries, but don’t wait until you get there to find out more. If you must take your SAT while abroad, make this part of your planning and decision process. You can investigate specifics by talking with AFS Returnees, local AFS volunteers, or contacting the AFS staff at the contact numbers listed on the bottom of this FAQ.
The SATs can be offered through US Embassies while abroad. They are administered by the College Board nationally and internationally. You can find out more information from

Why do colleges like study abroad?

  • COLLEGE ADVANTAGE FLYER--This double-sided flyer talks about what colleges are looking for, how an exchange program develops those qualities in you, and why AFS should be that program. It answers a lot of the "why" questions. It can be found at The AFS Value Package
  • This page on the website is also helpful: [2]

As a parent, how can I be sure my child will remain academically serious during their semester or year abroad, when I'm not around to provide encouragement?

An important part of students' AFS experience is learning to make decisions more independently, and learning to find support from a new community, including a loving, volunteer host family. If your child is not yet ready to take this step, consider a shorter summer program. A gap-year program is another great way to help a young adult practice taking responsibility for their decisions, in an environment half-way between high school and college.

Application Process

What do I have to do to apply?

  • The first step is filling out a pre-application, which has your basic contact information, country preferences, and a $75 non-refundable deposit.
  • Between the pre-app and full-app, you're encouraged to submit a scholarship application (forms available on the AFS-USA website).
  • AFS will send you a full application, which is fairly in-depth. It asks for more detailed personal information, and requires a visit to the doctor, has a form that needs to be completed by a school official, essays for you and your parents, and a $900 dollar deposit. It asks you about any physical or dietary restrictions you might have, and asks you to write a letter to your future host family telling them about your life and family.
  • The application process involves completing the AFS application and participating in an interview with a local AFS volunteer. The interview with a local volunteer will give you a chance to ask questions and gives AFS a chance to get to know you.
  • When your application is complete, it will be sent to the country of your choice, provided the program you are applying for isn’t already full (the process is first-come, first served). The country will review your application, decide whether to approve it, and will then let us know of their decision – we will let you know shortly thereafter!

When is the application deadline?

We work on a rolling admissions basis. Therefore, it’s important to apply early for the best chance to be selected for your first-choice country (and for the best shot at a scholarship). It’s best to apply by mid-March for most summer departure programs, although popular countries may fill earlier. Apply by mid-October for winter departure programs.


In 2008, we may have deadlines of October 1 for 2009 winter/spring departure (SH09), then March 20 for 2009 Year and Semester programs leaving in the summer (NH09), and April 15 for 2009 Summer Programs (NH09).

Are most students accepted by their first-choice country?

Acceptance depends on two things: qualification and country availability. If you have no medical or physical restrictions and you are recommended by your volunteer interviewer, it is likely you will be accepted. AFS accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, and each country has a limited number of spots for students from the U.S. If you qualify for the program and the country you have selected has space available, you will most likely be placed there. Read the catalog carefully for age limits and apply early for your best chance at acceptance by your first-choice country.

When will I know if I’ve been accepted?

After your completed application is received in the Regional Service Center, it will be sent to the host country for review and you will be notified of this. You can expect to wait approximately 4-6 weeks for a decision. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, the wait may be longer.

Financial Concerns (other than payment)

How expensive is it, and how can I afford it?

The program cost depends on where you go and for how long. Exact prices are listed on the website. Prices for shorter programs are similar to those offered by other organizations, and prices for longer programs can be not much higher than the cost of living in the US for a semester or a year.
To help you pay for an AFS experience, there are many community organizations (you could start with your local AFS Chapter) that will help a good cause, and we’ll give you tips on getting their support.
In addition, AFS provides scholarships to more than 30% of our participants. Last year, AFS students received close to $3 million dollars in scholarships, some based on academic achievement and some based on financial need. See the scholarships section of the AFS-USA website for more information.

Wow! The program costs (insert number here) but international airplane tickets are only (insert number here). AFS is a non-profit, and most of you guys are volunteers. Why is it so expensive?

AFS programs are a great value if you think of all the costs that go into them.
  • Because there are scholarships, about 40 percent of students do not pay the full program price.
  • As you mentioned, international air travel is significant, but less than 20% of the program cost.
  • To offer exchanges to over 40 countries, AFS must maintain a paid international staff to coordinate between each country.
  • Within each country, AFS maintains a paid staff to handle an enormous list of tasks: computers, finances, human resources, administration, government regulations, volunteer recruiting and training, etc.
  • As a participant, you will participate in multiple training sessions or "orientations", some of which last multiple days. Your program fees pay for these.
  • It costs money to find, screen, and support host families.
  • It costs money to find, screen, and support student participants.
  • When you're participating in a program, you and your host family and your parents back at home all have access to support staff for counseling, crisis management, and so on.
  • AFS is an educational program. Although AFS does not maintain a school with teachers and classrooms, you will receive lessons, some from printed materials, some online, and some from paid staff, during your experience. As you know from the cost of private schools, the costs of education are not small.
Try putting a dollar value next to some of these costs, and you'll see how quickly they add up.

How likely am I to get financial aid?

Approximately 40 percent of the students who go on AFS programs receive some kind of aid.

How much financial aid am I likely to get?

Financial aid varies between 10 and 80 percent of the program fee. The amount of the award depends on the financial need of the applicant as well as the availability of specific awards for the applicant’s home community and background.

When should I apply for financial aid?

The best time to submit a Global Leaders scholarship application is between your pre-app and full-app stages. However, you can also submit it later in the process.

When will I know if I’ve received financial aid?

Financial aid is awarded on a rolling basis. After we receive your scholarship application forms, the financial aid committee will review your application. The decision will take approximately one week. In some cases it may take slightly longer. You will be notified by email or phone of the committee’s decision on your financial assistance, and to claim this award you must submit your full application within one month.

What if I don’t get financial aid from AFS? Are there other places I can apply?

We recommend the book Financing Your AFS Experience as a source of information on how you can raise the program fee in your community through activities and letter-writing campaigns. Local community clubs may also have financial aid available for educational programs.

When do I have to pay the program tuition?

Once you have been guaranteed a placement in your host country, you will be asked to submit a $900 deposit towards your tuition in order to secure your spot. This deposit must be submitted within 30 days. Because AFS will spend money on your behalf, this deposit shows us that you are committed to participating. The remainder of the tuition is due 30 days before your departure.

Are AFS tuition and fees tax-deductible?

No. You cannot deduct tuition from your taxes. AFS is not an "eligible educational institution." (An eligible educational institution is any college, university, vocational school, or other postsecondary educational institution eligible to participate in a student aid program administered by the Department of Education. It includes virtually all accredited public, nonprofit, and proprietary (privately owned, profit-making) postsecondary institutions. The educational institution should be able to tell you if it is an eligible educational institution.) And no, our university programs are not "eligible educational institutions" either.

Host Family Placement

When do I find out the name and address of my host family?

When a student’s application is sent to the host country, AFS staff and volunteers there immediately begin looking for a community and family. This is a complicated process and can take several months. AFS will get information to the students as soon as it is received. Most students receive their information between mid-December and departure for winter departure programs and mid-May and departure for summer departure programs. We try to have the family information to the students at least three weeks prior to departure but sometimes that is not possible. In fact, some students do not receive their information until right before departure. Please reassure participants that families are carefully screened and selected. The lateness of a placement usually is not a reflection upon the student. It is important the students do an excellent job filling out their application. The more restrictions students puts down, the more difficult it is for our partner countries to find a family.
Once a family has been identified, the host family information will be sent directly from our partner country to the Regional Service Center who will then send it to the student. If you wish to know the status of the students with whom you are working, please look them up on AFS Online or call your Regional Service Sending team.

What kinds of gifts should I bring for my host family and friends?

Things that represent the student’s community or state: a significant landmark, a famous local sports team, or a well-known company. Small gifts such as pins, pictures, mugs, t-shirts, or caps are popular items. Ask the students not to overindulge. Large and expensive gifts may make the receiver uncomfortable and should be avoided.


Life in the Host Country

What do I do when I don't know the language?

Typically, AFS partner countries are well aware that "in-bound" students will need time and training to learn the local language. In an immersion environment, this happens much, much faster than in a classroom environment and is not so hard as you might expect. Regardless, the AFS partner countries have selected host families that have some grasp of English to help you out, as well as set a reasonable expectation level with the school. [need more/corrected(?) info here...]

Is there anything I won’t be able to do abroad?

Yes. AFS has three rules that all participants must agree to:
  • No illegal drugs
  • No driving
  • No hitchhiking
All participants must be law abiding in their host country. There may be country-specific rules that apply. There also are limits on traveling independently.

What do I do if I'm having trouble logging into Culture Trek?

The website is http://www.afsculturetrek.org. Parents and students receive separate Culture Trek accounts and login info. Students also receive a packet in the mail with homework for Culture Trek. Login for students is their name--First Last Year (ie-Ann Steglich 2008). Password--F# (including the F, ie--F2000842). If they are still experiencing problems, they could try again later, making sure they use capital letters and spaces.


Otherwise, the situation can usually be remedied if students adjust their browser settings. For Internet Explorer, they can go to Tools/Internet Options/Privacy and set it to Medium High. For Firefox, go to Tools/Options..../Privacy and and check the "Accept cookies from sites" box. If it still doesn't work, they can speak with their advisor.

Travel

When do I find out my departure date?

The student’s receive their itineraries and travel information approximately six to eight weeks before departure. The information may be available sooner by calling your Regional Service Center’s Sending Team. Students SHOULD NOT purchase domestic tickets until they receive the Travel Notification Packet from AFS. Departure dates are subject to change until this packet is mailed out.

What should I pack?

Students should research the host country to learn more about the climate, how teens dress, and any school dress code that might be required. The best advice from other AFSers is to take things that are comfortable. Students should avoid trendy outfits— chances are they are not in fashion abroad. Remind students that clothes dryers may not be available in every household—drip dry might be a necessity. Students should also bring one or two nice outfits for special occasions. Have students go to the AFS Web site or call the Info Center to try and hook up with someone that has studied in that country before or consult a reliable guidebook.

How much luggage can I take?

AFS permits one piece of checked baggage, limited to 62 inches x 62 inches and up to 44 pounds even though some airlines permit more than 44 pounds. Why do we restrict it? Because many AFS students end up taking domestic flights within their host country and many of these flights can have more stringent restrictions. Advise your students to pack their bags and then carry them around the block twice quickly. If they can’t make it, time to repack!

Should I get any shots before I go?

The vast majority of AFS countries do not require special immunizations. AFS recommends immunizations based on the information provided by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All AFS participants should be immunized against the seven childhood diseases: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT), and polio. We recommend that students check with the family physician to determine which immunizations are appropriate based on their personal medical history. For more information, contact 1-877-FYI-TRIP or www.cdc.gov.

Will I fly alone to my country?

Students will most likely be flying alone during their domestic flight to get to the one day orientation in the gateway city (New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., or L.A.). Upon arrival at the gateway orientation site, students may be greeted by AFS volunteers or they may need to get on a shuttle to go to the AFS hotel. Complete instructions will be provided in the Travel Notification Packet. After orientation, students from the U.S. will travel to their host country together. In some cases they will travel with an adult chaperone, especially when there are more than 35 students.

How do I get to my host family’s home?

AFS volunteers and staff are there to welcome you at the airport upon arrival. Many countries offer an arrival orientation lasting anywhere from one to five days and afterwards, students will then go to their host families. Depending on where the students are staying, they may need to take a train, plane, or bus to the host family’s home. When possible, they will travel with a group of AFSers going to the same community. AFS volunteers or the host family will meet the student at the airport, train, or bus station to accompany them to the final destination.

Can I travel to other countries while on AFS?

Travel to other countries is permitted only in special circumstances and with advanced approval. The AFS program promotes learning about the host country and its people, and traveling outside of it can disrupt the AFS experience. In some cases, students are allowed to travel with school groups or with an adult chaperone, but they must first get permission from AFS-USA, AFS in the host country, and the student’s parents. Students wanting to travel should begin the process of getting approval by contacting AFS in their local community.

Can my parents visit me while I am on an AFS program?

Visits from natural family or friends from home are often not the good idea. Through over 60 years of experience, AFS volunteers, students, and host families have learned that natural family visits are disruptive to the student’s exchange experience. For the participant, the arrival of someone from home interrupts integration into life in the host country, as relationships and cultural norms from home are resumed. For the hosts, it interrupts their role as parents, may confuse relationships, and imposes additional hospitality burdens.
Visits take the focus from the student and burden AFS volunteer and staff support structures. If a natural family does visit, it should be for no more than three to four days total.
If the participant wants to travel with the natural family during this time, the host family, volunteers, and staff must give permission before the trip is planned and
the student must obtain an Independent Travel Waiver form.

Documentation

When should I apply for a passport?

Encourage students to apply for a passport as soon as you learn about their interest. It is never too early to get a passport, but it can quickly become too late. Passports can take eight to ten weeks or more, and the student may need the passport to obtain a visa if required, so the time necessary to get a visa must also be taken into consideration (see next question). Contact the local post office for an application.

Do I need a visa to enter my host country?

For most year and semester programs a visa is required. AFS provides all the necessary forms and instructions in time for application. To get a visa, students may need to send their passports to the AFS-USA National Service Center in New York. Other countries require students to go in person to the Consulate’s office. Visa requirements quickly change, so don’t attempt to answer these questions. Direct the students to the New York Office at 1-800-876-2376 or their Regional Service Center.

Payment

When does the program tuition have to be paid?

The $900 depostit has to be paid in order for a student's application to be sent abroad for review to the hosting partner. The deposit payment shows that the student is committed to going abroad and it covers expenses incurring during the admissions process. The remainder of the program tuition is due 45 days before departure at the latest.

Where do I send the payment?

Check, Money order, or credit card info should be sent to:
AFS-USA
Attn: Accounts Receivables
One Whitehall
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004

Questions not Answered Here

If your question isn't answered above,
  • Call 1-800-AFS-INFO and speak with us.
  • Check out the website www.usa.afs.org , where you can use our bulletin boards, and “Live Person,” where an AFS Advisor will respond to your specific questions via the internet.
  • Email us at [3].


See Also

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February 7 2012
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