Here are some touching comments written by students about their supportive host families.

Adrian Lesske, student from Germany:

"My host family helped me to live the American Way of Life. They showed me what a family is and what it really means to be a part of a family. I mean it is just an awesome feeling, when somebody that you didn't really know before, just cares about you so much, even if you are not a natural part of his own family. They already have two twin daughters and an older son, both of them are busy, but they still show me that I am very important to them. They make my experience the experience that I would wish every foreign exchange student."

Katua Litvinova, student from Ukraine:

"AFS volunteers and my host family made a great year for me, they care a lot about how we feel and if everything is alright with us! I am glad that I took a chance to come here and be here with them. Now I have goals in my life! I want to study abroad, to see a lot of countries and be useful in this world, so I can help people!"

Ika Septi, student from Indonesia:

"Overall, (my host family) taught me a lot. Not only about American culture, languages, and school but most of all about Life. I learn not to generalize something, because generalization can cause a lot of problems and misunderstanding, I learn that communication is very important, to be more disciplined in what I’m doing, and I learn to be more open minded. I admire and love my host family so much. They somehow influence my plans for the future too. I think I’m going to major in International Relations next year, because I want to work to make the world a little bit better for someone else through International understanding. Just like what AFS does."

We're providing biographies of AFS exchange students so that you can envision what it would be like to share your day-to-day life with a new family member. Below are examples of students who will be participating with AFS.

Tung Hin Wong from Hong Kong : Tung Hin prefers the name of Isabella, and is the leader of her school orchestra. She plays both piano and cello, and enjoys classical and pop music. She's also very active, enjoying badminton and swimming, and often jogging with her grandfather. According to her teachers, "Isabella is a nice and cooperative girl whose unceasing efforts to better herself are commendable. She has very good relationships with teachers and peers." Her mother particularly likes Isabella's keen sense of humor. Isabella lives in Hong Kong with her mother. Her parents are separated, but though her father does not live in Hong Kong, Isabella keeps in close touch with him through letters & calls.

Berk from Turkey: Berk is a creative young man with a passion for building and racing model cars. He combines this interest with an interest in graphic design and Photoshop; he hopes these interests might lead to a career in automotive design. He also enjoys skiing. His grandmother describes Berk as "a very nice, calm and polite boy. He is very tolerant in his relationships with others. Berk is a lovely, good-looking and very nice boy." Berk is an only child and lives in a lively household that enjoys the arts. Berk's father owns his own design firm and his mother has recently gone back to art school. She came to the U.S. with AFS in 1982.