WHO CAN HOST WITH AFS?
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 student with a bed and meals, and to treat the young person as a member of your family by offering him or her moral support, comfort and affection.

WHAT ARE THE BACKGROUNDS OF THE AFS PARTICIPANTS?
AFS Participants come from more than 50 countries and from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. All participants are between 15 and 18 years old, are attending high school in South Africa, have maintained good grades, and are seen as role models in their home schools and communities.

In addition, we also seek families to host international teachers (for 10 months or a semester) and international community service participants, who are 18 years or older (for 5 months).

WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS?
AFS Interculture South Africa covers the costs of medical insurance, school fees, school transport, AFS organized orientations and domestic travel from Johannesburg to your town or city and return. The participant and his or her natural family are responsible for the costs of pocket money, school uniforms, extra-mural activities, long distance telephone calls, entertainment expenses and those medical costs excluded from the insurance.

AFS host families represent the diversity of the South African population, and as a result many families can’t afford to travel with their student during the year. AFS organizes a tour enabling all students to travel at least once during their exchange program.

To host an exchange student is a voluntary commitment. AFS does not pay host families!

As a host family, you would be agreeing to:
• Provide all meals for your AFS Participant
• Provide your participant with his or her own bed (sharing a room with a sibling is fine)
• Include him or her in the life and activities of your family
• Provide the same support, care, and comfort as you would for your own child

WILL I HAVE SUPPORT?
AFS throughout the world prides itself on its support of students, families and volunteers. AFS will support you before, during and after your exchange by means of telephone calls, e-mails, newsletters and orientations. You will have contact with volunteers in your area, and if necessary also with the national office staff. Communication between AFS staff in the hosting and sending countries is quick and reliable.

WHAT IF WE HAVE PROBLEM AND DON’T GET ALONG?
This is where your local AFS Support person can help. They will work with you and your participant to improve the relationship. If these steps are not successful and problems remain, a host family change can be arranged.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HOSTED STUDENT?
Natural parents remain the legal guardians. AFS oversees the safety and welfare of the participant. Your responsibility is for day-to-day living. You have support from your local AFS group and 24-hour emergency access to AFS. AFS communicates with natural parents through our network of partner AFS organizations overseas.

DO AFS PARTICIPANTS SPEAK ENGLISH?
AFS Participants have some level of English proficiency. But they have a strong desire to improve their language proficiency. One of their reasons why they want to live in a different country is to improve their language ability in a foreign language.

HOW LONG DO AFS PARTICIPANTS LIVE WITH HOST FAMILIES?
Year program participants stay 11 months; semester participants stay for 6 months. Participants are required to attend school while they are in South Africa. You can also decide to host temporarily for a shorter period of time.

WHEN DO PARTICIPANTS ARRIVE?
Participants arrive at the beginning of the year in March, and another group of participants arrive in mid-August.

IS THE HOST FAMILY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENROLLING THE STUDENT IN SCHOOL?
No, AFS will arrange a placement in school. AFS works with every high school to ensure enrollment of AFS Exchange Participants in accordance with each school’s policies and procedures. AFS enjoys an excellent reputation with high schools across the country and we value a close working relationship with the high schools that we serve.

DOES AFS HAVE RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS?
There are three primary AFS rules. If participants break any of them, they will be sent home.
• No illegal drugs • No driving • No hitchhiking
Hosted participants are expected to obey South African laws. We also limit independent travel by AFSers. You will be provided with your Host Family Handbook, which contains information on these rules.

CAN THE HOST FAMILY CHOOSE THE STUDENT?
If you are interested in a particular nationality, AFS will try to fulfill your preference and you can indicate if you prefer to host a male or female. Our primary aim is to find someone who will integrate easily into your family – someone who enjoys your family’s interests and way of life. Such a young person could come from any part of the world, so it helps if you are open-minded about nationality.

WHERE WILL THE STUDENT GO TO SCHOOL?
Depending on the program, your local AFS group will arrange a place at the nearest appropriate school, having negotiated fees, related expenses and their payment. AFS students are required to attend school full-time.

Still have questions? Contact us!