In August 2004, the Campbell family in Wisconsin welcomed Akram, an AFS Exchange Student from Egypt. Akram studied in the U.S. through the Partnership for Learning Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. We would like to share with you a few sentiments that Akram has both left behind and taken with him:

“My host family. Words will never describe my honorable feelings for my host family. When I think about it, it is just amazing to me how this family treats me like their own son. It is just unbelievable how this family opened their door and made me a part of the family and gave me all that trust. But it is not only about their house door, they opened their hearts, their minds, and gave me a lot of care.

Sometimes I get homesick, but until now I can't imagine how I am going to separate from this family. I am so proud to be chosen to serve as an AFS youth ambassador to the U.S. I am proud to come here and share my culture and beliefs and to learn that things aren't bad, they are just different. I am so thankful to my host family, to my friends, to the proud volunteers and supporters of AFS, to all the AFS staff, and to everybody who helps me during this experience.”

– Akram, AFS Exchange Student 2004-2005

The exchange experience lasts a lifetime. Students who have lived in another country and culture will be better able to thrive in an increasingly global society. They will become men and women who will understand what it means to be personally responsible for bringing more peace and understanding into the world. This is possible because of families who step up and say, “This is something we can do to make the world a better place.” Families like yours.

Below are examples of the types of students who participate in the AFS Exchange Program.

Victor from Brazil: Victor is quite dedicated to studying English, but he never fails to find time to play his favorite sport, soccer. For the arts, he likes music, and when the weather is fine he rarely passes up an opportunity to visit the beach. His principal describes Victor as a "very good-natured young man who has always shown respect to the school staff." He seems to be a happy, outgoing student who enjoys making his peers laugh. Victor lives with his parents and two younger sisters. They go to church together each week and visit with Victor's grandparents. Victor hopes to one day get a degree in business administration, following in the footsteps of both his mother and father.

Seetala from Thailand: Seetala likes to perform and last summer was co- director, dancer and stage scenery designer for local plays. She also volunteered after the tsunami disaster, helping children in the area. She also likes to read, do art and enjoy her friends. "For me the journey is more important than the end." Seetala is outgoing, optimistic and has a good attitude about life. Self-confident, friendly, flexible, reliable and understanding are words her friends use to describe her. She's very close to her family. They talk a lot and do many activities together. Seetala loves rock music and art films and shares those interests with her father. She gets a long well with her older brother and younger sister.