Pictured above are the Intensive Programme (two-month programme) students from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain who spent two months in South Africa in July/August 2016. They are all lived with South African families and went to school here.
We are now looking for host families to welcome international high school students into their homes for 2017 (July/ August for the two-month programme and September/ July for the ten-month programme).
Hosting an international exchange participant is a wonderful way of exposing your family to a new culture while building a sincere, long-lasting relationship with someone from another county.
There is no specific profile of a host family. You may be a couple with children, a single parent family or a couple without children. AFS looks for secure, open-minded, understanding and loving families who are willing to share their lives with a young person from another country. You would be expected to provide the participant with a bed and meals and to treat the young individual as a member of your family by offering him or her moral support, comfort and affection, whilst fully incorporating him/her into your family. AFS would cover the costs of transport to your local high school and the costs related to attendance (enrolment, books etc.).
South Africa is a beautiful country and a melting pot of religions, languages and cultures. You can play a part in sharing our country and your culture with the world. The success of student exchange programmes really depends on the generosity of families who decide to take on this adventure.
We will be placing students in schools right soon, so, if you are interested, don’t delay!
For more information go to Host an AFSer, talk to your local chapter or call the National Office on 011 431 0113 or email [email protected] and ask for information on hosting a student.
To apply to be a host family, go to our Host Family Inquiry Form,
Timeline:
Early April 2017 – Your application should be with your local volunteers.
April 23rd – Full applications (including completed interview) should be with the National Office.
End of May – We hope to have placed all of the two-month students.
End of June – We hope to have placed all of the ten-month students.