Conflicts that arise in relationships of any kind are most often rooted in the following things:
- Communication breakdown - misunderstandings, preconceived notions, information withheld, non-effective communication when concerns do arise
- Cultural Misunderstanding – At AFS we see many situations where certain behaviors are influenced by one’s culture, yet due to their being a culture clash, interpreted as behavioral
- Unreasonable expectations - for both AFS participants and their host families
- Poor match - fundamental differences in lifestyle, interests, or personalities
- Extenuating circumstances - illness, job loss, and relocation.
AFS participants and their host families are no different! Most likely, conflicts that appear in their relationships stem from the same issues. It is important to keep this in mind when you are talking to participants and their families and work to help them realize what the cause of their specific adjustment challenges could be.