Students Arrive
AFS students travel to the US on through-tickets (international and domestic tickets on one itinerary) booked by AFS partners. This travel model allows for students to arrive at an airport in or near their host community. AFS participants are provided in-person support by AFS volunteers while transiting in the US. AFS Volunteers and host families meet students at their final destination airport in or near their host community. Local volunteers must orient the students within a week of arrival with an Arrival Orientation.
Departures
During the month of June, it is time for our AFS students to return home. They gather for a per-departure orientation a week before traveling home. As with student Arrivals, students return home on through-tickets. AFS staff and airport transit volunteers help to make the return journey a smooth process even though many of our students are sad to be ending their wonderful experience in the U.S. We hope that the impact they have made in their host families and host communities will help encourage other people to host and continue to develop intercultural understanding in the years to come.