Hosting an AFS student in your home is a wonderful way to discover a new culture and share your own. From preparing a meal to going on cultural excursions, everything becomes an opportunity for discovery.
AFS does not discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, religious, political, or sexual orientation in its selection of host families and conducts a criminal background check on all prospective host families.
What is an AFS host family?
AFS has been inviting families to host international students in their homes since 1947. Considered a key element in our students’ well-being, host families provide much more than just room and board. Families are selected based on their stability, open-mindedness, and motivation to welcome a foreigner into their daily lives.
What do foster families do?
Supported by dedicated volunteers and staff, host families help students connect with their new school and community, make friends, learn a new language, and enjoy their year abroad. Sharing their culture and traditions helps families forge lifelong bonds and friendships.
What is expected of foster families?
What type of family is AFS looking for?
All families are encouraged to experience AFS; there is no such thing as a “typical” family.
Some AFS families have children, both young and old, living at home. Some are same-sex couples. Others have adult children. Still others are childless couples. Single adults and single-parent families are also welcome. Even busy families find time to enjoy hosting an AFS student!
How is hosting a student beneficial for my family?
What is the selection process?
First, you need to fill out the application to become a host family.
An AFS volunteer or staff member will contact you and invite you to complete a more detailed application. Next, a home visit will be arranged to meet your family and get to know you better. You will be able to choose the student you wish to host based on your interests and preferences, and will then be invited to AFS gatherings with other host families. Finally, the time will come to welcome the student into your home!
Who are the AFS students?
Aged between 15 and 18 on the day of their arrival in Quebec, AFS students come from more than 55 countries around the world.
The AFS organization’s selection process in the applicant’s country of origin is meticulous and based on strong academic performance, good general health, curiosity, open-mindedness, maturity, and motivation to study abroad.
What types of programs does AFS offer?
In Quebec, AFS needs host families for students participating in academic or short-term programs.
We offer academic programs lasting one term, one semester, or one year, as well as short-term programs ranging from four to eight weeks during the summer holidays.
How does AFS support its families?
The health, safety, and well-being of our students are our number one priority. AFS volunteers and staff are trained and committed to supporting students and their families throughout the experience. AFS has guidelines that apply to all AFS organizations worldwide:
Are host families paid?
No, they welcome the young person out of interest in other cultures and to contribute to AFS’s mission, which is to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to create a more just and peaceful world.
Furthermore, hosting a young person is an enriching experience for the whole family.
Everything related to school, transportation to and from school, AFS activities, and medical care is paid for by the organization. And the young people receive pocket money from their biological parents.
Is the host family responsible for paying medical expenses?
No, the young person will have medical insurance that can be used if needed. An emergency hotline is also available 24/7.
Are there any rules for AFS students?
Yes, AFS students must abide by all applicable AFS rules and policies during the program. If a student violates a rule, such as driving or drug use, we will terminate their program. Hosted participants must also obey all state and federal laws. Independent travel for students is restricted. The Family Guide, which contains relevant safety information and rules, is available to help you prepare before the student’s arrival.
Will AFS help my family get along well with our young person?
AFS’s intercultural learning program will help you feel more comfortable with your new host family member and develop the skills and understanding needed to communicate with people from different cultures. The experience is:
Do we have to send a young person abroad in order to be able to host them?
No, it’s not necessary.
Are we obligated to host the student for the entire duration of the program?
Families are committed for the entire duration of the program.
However, at any time and at the family’s request, the host family arrangement can be terminated. We understand that priorities and family circumstances can change. Furthermore, while AFS strives to match students as closely as possible, sometimes it doesn’t work out.
AFS supports both families and students. If any difficulties arise, families can contact the advisor and work together to resolve the issues. Should this prove unsuccessful, AFS will remove the student from the current family and find them a new one. The family reassignment process typically takes two to three weeks.
Does the young person need a single room?
No, it’s not mandatory. Many young people share a room with their host sister or brother. Learning to share and adapt is part of the AFS experience.
Can we choose which young person we will take in?
Yes, we publish our students’ profiles on our website every year so that families can get an overview of the students and make a choice based on their interests and preferences.
Which school should the student attend?
The host family is responsible for registering the student at school based on their place of residence. AFS will inform you of the procedure when the time comes.
What happens if we already have a vacation planned?
The young person you host will adapt to your family. Depending on your decision, the young person can accompany your family on vacation, or if that’s not possible, stay in their host region with a friend, neighbor, or family member, provided that this temporary placement is approved in advance by AFS. If necessary, AFS will arrange for a temporary family if you are unable to do so.
“It made a huge difference in my life. And now, 20 years later, I’m going to take my children to the United States to meet my host parents. This connection will continue for generations.”
Leontien, exchange student from the Netherlands