AFS expects participant and host family engagement to be mutual and mutually initiated. We hope and expect both participants and host family members to actively initiate engagement (suggest or begin a new activity) and to demonstrate effort at maintaining connection with one another in ways that are meaningful for everyone. We ultimately hope that participants and their host families can grow to form a strong family bond with one another.
AFS encourages participants and host families to consider how they can engage with one another, both in and out of the home. Meaningful engagement need not require a packed itinerary full of activities or trips. Things like dinner table conversations, evening walks, trips to a local museum, game nights, movie nights, and joint art projects can all be memorable.
AFS does not expect participants and host families to have the exact same interests. In fact, some of the most enriching experiences for both participants and host families can be times when they try something completely new or try something in a brand-new way. AFS encourages both families and participants to try something new in the other’s interest area!
AFS also expects participants and host parents to sometimes need some down time or alone time, and we encourage participants and host families to allow themselves that time in moderation. Especially for participants, sometimes having 15-30 minutes of downtime to rest in their rooms can be important. Sometimes participants need quiet to be able to focus on their homework as well, especially if they are still working on their English Language proficiency. However, if participants or host family members are spending multiple hours of free time a day in their own rooms, that is likely a sign that some assistance or intervention is needed to help participants and host families engage more with one another. Talk to your Support Coordinator or Support and Learning Specialist for help.
AFS participants are also expected and encouraged to engage in after school activities, clubs, or sports. They are also expected and encouraged to engage with friends, in social groups, and with other AFS students when possible. In so doing, we encourage participants to try and achieve a balance between time with friends and schoolmates and time with their host families.