While on your AFS program, you will find that most of what you learn comes from your daily
interactions and experiences at home, in school, and in your host community. AFS staff and
volunteers understand that the opportunity to learn while on the AFS program is great, but not always
easy. You may encounter situations during your stay that you find confusing, frustrating, or even a
little scary.
In order to help you learn from these challenging times, AFS has created a system of “Participant
Support” for all students. The purpose of this support system is to provide you with a safe
environment and an environment for you to ask questions, seek advice and receive help.
AFS alone cannot prepare every participant for all possible safety concerns, as many issues will be
specific to the community in which you are placed. Therefore, we recommend that you talk to the
individuals who make up your “safety net” (your host family, liaison, local AFS volunteers, and school
staff) about the issues raised in these articles soon after you arrive in the U.S.
AFS staff and volunteers know that the image of the U.S. that is often portrayed by the
international media may be different than the reality in the community in which you are hosted.
Therefore, we encourage you to ask your host family to clarify any concerns or doubts you may have
about life in your host community.
Maintaining your safety is our number one priority at AFS. However, it is your responsibility to make
smart, informed decisions in order to keep yourself safe. Reading all the information contained in these articles will help prepare you to make these important decisions. After
you have finished reading, be sure to discuss any additional questions or concerns you may have with
your host family or liaison. We wish you a safe and successful stay in the USA!
Practical Information for Living in the U.S.
We are certain that you are going to have an exciting year learning about both your host culture as well as yourself and your own culture. You have been learning - since birth – to understand how to behave in different situations in your home country. Soon, you will be living in a new culture, and you may not be aware of all the “clues” telling you which behaviors are socially acceptable.
Many things that you consider to be “common sense” in your home country may also apply to U.S. culture. The best thing to do in any situation is to discuss your concerns with your host family and/or liaison. However, it’s important to remember that you are also responsible for yourself.
The USA is a very diverse country with social norms differing between regions, states, communities and even families. So, it is impossible to tell you exactly how to behave appropriately in any/every possible situation. How you should behave depends on the situation itself, the people involved, the setting/environment and the desired outcome of the interaction.
After spending a couple of days getting to know your family, please sit down with them and discuss the information contained in this guide. It’s important to clarify with them anything you don’t understand about the advice given or language used in this booklet.
Carry Your AFS ID Card at All Times
Your AFS ID card contains all the vital information that you will need in
an emergency. Your ID card includes:
- Your name
- Your U.S. host family’s address and telephone numbers
- Name and telephone numbers of your local AFS volunteer and the AFS National Office
- The AFS toll-free emergency telephone number
- The name of the AFS health insurance provider and policy number
- The telephone number of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Designation
Students are encouraged to take a photo of their ID with their
smartphone as an added precaution. If you lose your AFS ID card, be sure
to contact your liaison, who can provide you with a new one.