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Belo USA for AFS Participants

  • Updated

Overview

Belo USA is a travel operator based in Chicago specializing in cultural and educational tours for international exchange students. Belo USA has offered these opportunities to AFS-USA and other exchange organizations for more than 20 years. Belo USA has designed trips specifically for AFS-USA students. Belo USA has a great appreciation for the AFS-USA mission and the desire for our students to participate in activities that align with AFS-USA values. All trips will be chaperoned by Belo USA staff and an AFS-USA volunteer/staff depending upon availability.

2024 Belo Trip Offerings for AFS-USA students:

  • Hawaii Expedition: February 10 - 17, March 9 - 16, March 23 - 30
  • New York City: April 13 - 17
  • NYC, Philadelphia, and Washington DC: April 13 - 20
  • California Adventure: March 16 – 23 

Student Travel

AFS-USA Independent Travel Policy regarding Belo USA:

  • Students must submit the Belo Student Information and Agreement form to Belo before they can sign up for a trip.
  • On the Belo Student Information and Agreement form, student travel must be approved by the host parent(s), sending parent(s), the host school (if any school will be missed), and the local Support Coordinator (listed as the authorized official on the form). There are signature spots for all required parties on the Belo Student Information and Agreement form below. 
  • A travel waiver will be required for all Belo trips. This acts as permission from AFS-USA. The form will be included in the required Belo paperwork, listed as the AFS-USA student travel waiver below. This is submitted to Belo first, and Belo will then share it with AFS-USA. Volunteers do not need to reach out to their Regional Travel & Logistics Specialist to process anything separately as normal travel requests would require.
  • Students should not purchase tickets until approval has been obtained from all designated parties.
  • Students can miss up to 5 days of school to travel on a Belo USA bus tour (upon receiving approvals as indicated above).
  • Host siblings are permitted to join the trips if they are 16 years of age or older.
  • Lastly, Belo USA is solely responsible for all refund requests. AFS-USA has no control over refund requests and will not provide input regarding Belo USA refund policies or requests.

Student Travel Required Forms

AFS Volunteer Chaperone Eligibility

The primary responsibility of a Belo USA Travel Chaperone is the welfare of participants traveling on a Belo USA Travel bus tour to destinations in the United States. In addition, the Chaperone is an official representative of AFS-USA. The Chaperone will meet participants at the beginning of a specific bus tour and will participate in the arrival orientation presented by Belo USA Travel staff.

Other Chaperone requirements include:

  • Being 25 years old as of February 1, 2024.
  • Being a registered AFS-USA Volunteer, with at least two (2) consecutive years actively volunteering at the time of application. Volunteers are involved with a local Chapter/Team and/or at a national level which may include orientations, working with students, liaisons, team/national leadership roles, advisory groups, and/or committees.
  • Applicants' compliance with AFS-USA standards, policies, and procedures and Department of State regulations, as applicable, will be considered in the selection process.
  • Agreement to fully comply with all mandatory training sessions.
  • Ability to assist students with their luggage, if needed.
  • Preferred experience as a chaperone or group leader.
  • Having organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Being flexible and open to new experiences.

We are pleased to offer this special opportunity to our students. If you have any questions about the Belo programs, please contact Belo USA at 1-877-BELOUSA or via email at afs@belousa.com. For AFS-specific travel and program policies, please contact a member of the Travel Team at  
1-800-AFS-INFO.

 

 

 

 

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