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Welcome to the April edition!
Willkommen, Welcome, Bienvenue, Benvenuto, Velkommen, Welkom
Every April during Volunteer Appreciation Month, people around the world recognize volunteers and those who actively support their communities.
While I’m relatively new to AFS-USA, I’m not new to intercultural experiences. I studied abroad for a semester in Marburg, Germany.
One of the biggest differences between my experience and the AFS-USA program is the incredible level of volunteer involvement that supports participants at every stage of their journey. It’s something I wish I had experienced during my own program. That’s why it’s so important to me that AFS-USA volunteers feel appreciated and know the meaningful difference they make this month and throughout the year.
This April, we hope you’ll take a moment to think about the AFS-USA volunteers who have been part of your family’s journey as a Host Family and find a meaningful way to thank them. This could be as simple as a handwritten note from your family and student(s), sending flowers, or sharing their favorite snack or homemade treat. Even a quick thank-you text or email can go a long way in showing appreciation for their time, energy, and support.
If you’re looking for a specific day to celebrate them, you might mark these on your calendar:
- AFS Founders’ Day – April 7, 2026
- National Volunteer Week – April 19–25, 2026
- Volunteer Recognition Day – April 20, 2026
We also hope you’ll consider becoming a volunteer or hosting again next year. AFS-USA volunteers and host families are helping change hearts and minds one person at a time.
Thank you for being part of the AFS-USA community and for helping create a more just and peaceful world.
Thank you!
Patty Gentry
Director of Volunteer Engagement
PS. Don’t forget to check out recent editions of the Global Family Newsletter for more tips and resources!
Explore these Newsletter Highlights
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April 10th is National Siblings Day, so here are some fun ideas for host siblings to try:
- Complete this printable AFS-USA activity together
- Write and exchange letters, sharing meaningful memories and appreciation for one another.
- Pop some popcorn and watch a movie or TV show that you can bond over.
- Try cooking a new or beloved recipe in the kitchen with each other.
- Get competitive and let the sibling rivalry shine by playing a game (see some international card games here!).
Whatever you do to celebrate, spending quality time together and acknowledging the sibling bonds that have been forming is what really matters.
Spring is a great time to get outdoors and engage in new activities! It’s also an opportunity to bond together as a family by doing activities and creating new routines together. Here are some words of wisdom from students about how they have bonded with their families.
“It takes time to build relationships. I used to drive to school with my host brother and that was the time we talked and got to know each other more. Because I had dinner late sometimes, I would eat with my host sister because she eats dinner late too and we had a lot of conversations while eating dinner. In addition, doing the house chores together is also a good time to spend time with host family, because most of the time everyone is busy with their work.”
“My host family has always been supportive, welcoming, and genuinely interested in my culture, which has made me feel at home. Whether it’s sharing meals together, celebrating holidays, or just having great conversations, they’ve helped me adjust and to feel like part of the family. Their kindness and patience have meant a lot to me.
For future host families, I’d say the best way to connect with students is through open communication, involving them in family activities, and showing interest in their background. Small gestures, like asking about their home country, trying their traditional food, or supporting their school activities, can make a big difference in helping them feel included and valued.”
In a recent article from KTOO, AFS exchange students in Juneau reflect on their experiences living and learning in Alaska. They share how adjusting to a new culture, language, and even extreme daylight has challenged them and helped them grow!
Their stories highlight the meaningful connections formed between students and their host communities. By opening your home, you’re not just welcoming a student(s); you’re helping create experiences that build understanding, resilience, and global perspective!
“I’m a native Inuit in Greenland. So there’s some people that are native Inuit in Alaska. So I met Lingít people. So the culture, sometimes it could be very different. But the food that we have like salmon, halibut and seals, like deers – but we eat reindeer in Greenland, caribou – so the way we eat is very, very similar.”
Often, local newspapers and TV or radio shows are interested in interviewing host families and their hosted AFS students, especially Education or Family editors. Contact your local volunteer and marketing@afsusa.org for help with how to share your AFS story.
End of Stay Orientation is fast approaching, and your local volunteer team has likely scheduled it to take place in April or May. This orientation is a lot of fun and may include outdoor activities (weather permitting). It’s also an opportunity for students, parents, and volunteers to catch up and connect.
Please prioritize the participation of both you and your student(s) at the orientation and let volunteers know if you need help with transportation. Orientation topics include a focus on individual change, preparing to say goodbye, a discussion on potential challenges after departure, takeaways from the experience, and expressing gratitude. To learn more about required AFS-USA orientations, please refer to this article on Help & Learning for Host Families.
AFS-USA partners are updating return travel itineraries for CORE & CBYX students returning home this June. Your CORE & CBYX student’s pre-determined return date will either be June 15th or June 29th. Please get in touch with a local volunteer about the correct return date. Return tickets/itineraries will be shared with you via email approximately 10 to 14 days prior to departure.
Some airline tickets your student(s) hold may reflect a return date that’s earlier or later than their scheduled program end date. These are just temporary dates with the airline that are booked when the correct date is not yet available or “in range” when the round-trip ticket is purchased by AFS partners.
Update to Host Student International Travel Requests
Beginning April 6, 2026, AFS-USA will lift the temporary restriction on travel outside of the United States. This means that, with prior approval, students may again travel internationally with their host families. While international travel will once again be permitted, it remains strongly discouraged due to ongoing risks and the limitations of AFS support outside the United States.
Please read the full article here on Help & Learning for Host Families.
Have you begun planning for the end of the school year? Within the next month, we encourage you to ask your student(s) what school participation documents they need to take home with them. Many students will make assumptions about what they need without reaching out to someone back home. If they need a signed or sealed transcript, an apostille, or a record of attendance, school counselors will appreciate knowing this in advance.
Spring is an exciting time at any American high school. With it comes graduation, prom, sports banquets, and so much more—but also potentially the social pressure to engage in some risky behavior. It is important that your student(s) understand that AFS-USA takes any violations of our drug and alcohol policies very seriously. Please talk to your student(s) about making good decisions.
Keep in mind:
- Being present at parties in which drugs are being used by others is a violation of the policy. If students do find themselves in a situation in which they believe drugs are being used by others, it is important that they remove themselves from this situation immediately.
- For good decision making, keep in mind the acronym: PEACE: Pause, Exhale, Acknowledge, Choose, and Engage
- Discuss an “exit strategy” with your student(s) to use if they find themselves in a social situation in which they feel pressured to use drugs or alcohol. This could include offering them a ride home if they find themselves in a difficult situation; we recommend brainstorming with your student(s) some 'excuses' for them to use to aid in exiting such situations safely.
Join us on April 7th as we celebrate AFS history, from our early humanitarian days as volunteer ambulance drivers to our legacy of fostering peace and understanding across the globe through intercultural exchange.
There are numerous ways to get involved in Founders Day– from leaving bookmarks or flyers at your local library, to wearing an AFS-USA shirt, or posting on social media. If you’d like free promotional materials, please reach out to your local AFS-USA volunteer. You can also reserve your free AFS Founders Day postcard here or purchase other AFS-USA merchandise.
April is Stress Awareness Month, and this year's theme is #BeTheChange. In a fast-paced world, this month allows us to slow down and recognize the impact that stress has on our lives, and to take steps to effectively manage it. The demands of everyday responsibilities can be overwhelming, which makes it more important to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and others to mitigate the effects of stress. For ways to manage stress and build resilience, check out this resource.
AFS-USA launched three new one-week domestic pilot programs for U.S. high school students ages 15–17 this summer to foster dialogue, cultural understanding, and connection within the United States. Hosted in Ohio, Oregon, and Chicago, the programs will explore themes such as emerging careers and technology, historical perspectives in the Pacific Northwest, and cultural identity through food and community. If you have teens in your home, please share these opportunities with them and with their friends or other teens in your life and encourage them to apply before these opportunities fill!
Bring a taste of Argentina into your kitchen with a few delicious, easy-to-make recipes you can try at home! It’s a fun way to experience the rich flavors and traditions of this vibrant culture. ¡Buen provecho!
Not a fan of cooking? No problem! Take a few minutes to explore the history and customs that make Argentinian culture so unique.
In case you missed it, here is the April YES and FLEX Newsletter that was sent out on April 1st to YES and FLEX students and host families!
If you know of an outstanding YES or FLEX student, please nominate them here by April 11th to be considered for the Department of State’s YES and FLEX Student of the Month.
Have any suggestions or requests for this host family newsletter? Let us know and we’ll incorporate them to help future host families!
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