An AFSer named Andrew, who is in Sweden right now, said this:

"I know people are always asking, 'WHERE SHOULD I GO?!' but I have come to realize that it doesn't really matter which country you choose, you will most likely have a good time wherever you go. BUT there are sometimes exceptions. If you don't like the cold (I hated the cold before I came to Sweden but now I love it...it's not for everyone though :P), don't choose a Nordic country. If you want to be able to speak Spanish, go to a Spanish speaking country.

Other than that, it's YOU that makes your exchange what you want. I picked Sweden. I knew basically nothing about the country, but I came here anyway and I am having an awesome time. So basically what I'm trying to say is quit worrying about the country you choose. Take a chance! It will pay off if you leave here with the right mentality. It will be so much fun and you will be so grateful for the opportunity you got."

AFS also offers more than $1.5 million in merit-and need-based scholarships. If you let AFS choose your destination, you'll be eligible for a wider range of scholarships.

AFS Student Prutha Desai, from India, was asked to speak about her AFS experience at a United Nations luncheon on May 19th, 2006. Below Prutha shares her empowering experience of speaking to UN delegates about being a global citizen:

"When I was at the podium, talking to all the delegates, I felt a different sense of power and confidence. It felt like 'not me' for once. I never in my dreams had thought of talking in front of the United Nations. Being among all the people from all over the world, striving for peace and harmony, I felt that I made a difference. It is "in" me and it will be there forever.

In the true sense, I felt like a global citizen, a representative of the people of the future who want to make it work, lovingly work. It also made me understand that I had a lot of responsibilities that I was bound to perform. It was not such a short experience, it was huge emotionally (like a gorilla...ah!).

I would love to see more people and students from AFS to go there and in the future make it possible for everyone to be an exchange student."

Have you talked to your family about becoming an AFS Host Family? Apply now to have an AFS brother or sister when school starts. Here are a few examples of students that will be arriving in August:

Romain from France
Romain practices contact karate four hours a week and plays tennis two hours a week. During the weekends, he often goes sailing with his father. He also likes to surf, occasionally, and to go snowboarding during the winter. As a young adult, his father calls him "a great observer", responsible, humorous, and courageous. Romain lives with his mother and his father lives nearby; Romain is very close to both his parents. He also has a sister, and a brother. Romain plans to work in the international business world.

Diana from Costa Rica
Diana loves sports, especially soccer where she is the goalie on her team. She also plays the guitar and listens to music. She enjoys singing, animals, and going to the movies with her friends. Her teacher says she is a "very responsible girl," who loves English. Her friends and family say she is a funny person, humble, modest, honest, and a good friend. She feels that she has a big heart and that she always does her best. Diana lives with her mother, brother, and sister. She feels her mother is her best friend and can talk about everything with her brother. Her parents have taught her to be strong. She wants to study photography and work for a newspaper or magazine.

Please complete our on-line Hosting Interest Form or call 1-800-AFS-INFO.

Here's a little fundraising advice from AFS Returnee Theresa Robitaille: "I would tell students that the best way would be to start a business." Below she explains how starting her own business paved the path for funding her AFS experience in Australia.

"Since my parents could not afford to pay for my trip, I told them I would raise all the money myself. It was hard to figure out what I could do to raise the money. I planned car washes, soda can and bottle drives, but none of those activities raised all the money I needed. As I was working for a florist at the time, I thought perhaps I could use my experience making floral arrangements, but using candy instead of flowers. I created decorative candy-filled mugs and cups, one made to look like an ice-cream sundae and the other to look like a blossoming flower. I started selling them at a florist’s shop, a hair salon, and a dry cleaning business.

I was placed in an entrepreneurial class at my High School, and I needed to think of an idea for a business project. Since I was already making these cups, I continued making them and called my business “Theresa’s Treasures.” I learned how to manage money, market my product, keep accurate records, and prepare an income statement. I also gained more confidence speaking before people. I learned how to manage school and work while operating a business.

With this business idea, I entered a Young Entrepreneurial Scholar Business Plan Competition at a Technical Community College and won first place, which was a $1,000 prize. The award money went toward my trip to Australia. I was also featured in two newspapers. About four months later, I received a letter informing me that I had been chosen by a local law firm, as their Young Entrepreneurial Scholar of the Year. The award granted me $500, which also went towards my trip.

My trip to Australia was an unforgettable experience. I have gained life long friends and a new family. These new experiences have helped me grow as person and have impacted my life forever."

Thanks Theresa, for sharing your fundraising success story!