In Quebec, more than 300 active volunteers support AFS’s mission. Organized into local committees, AFS volunteers work closely with young people and host families to guide them through their experience.
– IMPORTANT –
The young person remains under the responsibility and legal guardianship of AFS Interculture France at all times.
AFS’s commitment to foster families
- Treat host families with respect and gratitude
- Provide support and guidance through a volunteer counselor and/or AFS office staff
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of families
- Offer 24/7 emergency support
- Promptly reimburse expenses incurred (school and medical fees)
- Provide opportunities for exchanges, networking, and training on the host family experience
The commitment and role of AFS advisors
During your hosting experience, an AFS Interculture France volunteer will be your advisor and that of your host child. You can contact them whenever it may be helpful to facilitate communication between you and the participant. The advisor is not there to replace you in the relationship with the student, but to facilitate the success of your experience.
They commit to:
- Promoting the AFS participant’s integration into their family, school, and community;
- Supporting the family throughout their AFS experience;
- Scheduling at least one monthly contact with the family and the participant;
- Reporting to their supervisor on the participant’s progress and their monthly contacts with the family and the participant;
- Acting with respect for the privacy and confidentiality of families and participants;
- Informing the supervisor of any participant violations of AFS’s basic rules and any situation that could jeopardize the participant’s safety and physical and psychological well-being;
- Promoting intercultural learning for the participant and their family;
- Participating in AFS training
The role of the AFS counselor is not to:
Be responsible for the personal therapy of the family or participant, nor to make decisions in situations that fall outside the “normal”
Decide for the family or participant what constitutes a good AFS experience, nor decide whether or not they are having one
Replace the family in the participant’s integration and development.
Decision regarding a change of host family – A change of host family is sometimes necessary: the counselor is responsible for carefully assessing the situation and making the best possible decision with the student and their host family. However, having paid for their AFS participation does not entitle the student to arbitrarily demand a change of host family or region, or any special attention from their host family!
School fees and choices
Choosing a School
AFS Interculture Canada considers the Canadian school system to be of high quality, regardless of whether the education is provided in public or private schools. From this perspective, AFS does not offer an opinion on families’ choice of school system. However, we sometimes have agreements with certain schools and school boards.
School Registration Fees and School Supplies
We reimburse the following expenses up to a maximum of $350:
- School planner
- Required books and photocopies (not reimbursed)
- Mandatory transportation between school and home
- Identity card (if required by the school)
- Supervision fees and fees for optional courses, up to a maximum of $100 in total.
It is normally the student’s responsibility to pay the fees charged by the school, not the host family. The student must submit their reimbursement request on the prescribed form to AFS Interculture France within 15 days of payment to the school, and no later than December 15th. After this date, AFS reserves the right not to reimburse the fees.
Fees covered by AFS Interculture France:
- Medical insurance;
- Airfare;
- School fees and transportation;
- AFS activities (including transportation and meals);
Activities organized by AFS
The costs associated with these activities organised at the local or regional level are borne by AFS.
Arrival direction
An arrival orientation one to two weeks after arrival in the host country.
Autumn orientation
The autumn orientation is a key moment in the AFS year. The presence of host families and counselors is required. The follow-up meeting with the family, the young person, and the counselor is mandatory and must be rescheduled to the days before or after the orientation if the family cannot attend.
Mid-year orientation
In order to take stock and adjust what is needed to finish the year well, this meeting allows us to realign with what the young person and the family want between now and the end of the year.
End-of-year orientation
A guidance program to prepare for the return to the country of origin during the last month before the young people leave.