Host Family Appreciation Month - Video Contest
As Host Family Appreciation Month approaches, we want to hear about your host family experience! What do you do together as a family that brings you the most happiness?
Send us a video that shows us what makes your family special - whether it's an unforgettable memory you've captured or a montage of moments, we want to see it all! Examples include cooking together, doing activities outdoors, trying something new for the first time, or anything else that makes you feel connected with each other. Submit your video to marketing@afsusa.org.
Contest Details:
Video Guidelines: The kind of videos you might share on social media! It can be a single video you've taken, or a montage of moments you've edited together (see our examples below).
Tools like Canva or CapCut can be used for editing video clips together - Instagram Reels also provides an easy-to-use feature to put your videos together! You can see a few examples of video montages made by exchange students here:
Deadline to submit: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 (mark you calendars!)
Prize: Our winner will have their choice of a variety of prizes, such as AFS merchandise, an international snack box subscription, or game night/outdoor-themed gift to enjoy with your family!
Please reach out to out Marketing team at marketing@afsusa.org with questions or if you need assistance.
24th Annual CSIET Art Cover Design Contest - Now Open!
CSIET is excited to announce the 24th Annual Art Cover Design Contest, a creative opportunity for current high school exchange students to showcase their artistic talent and share their exchange experience through original artwork.
Why Enter? This contest gives students a chance to:
- Win a $500 cash prize for their creativity.
- Gain national recognition when their design is featured on the cover of the 2026-2027 CSIET Advisory List, on CSIET's website, and across CSIET's social media.
Who Can Enter:
- Current high school exchange students enrolled with a CSIET-Certified International Exchange Organization (like AFS-USA).
Theme & Artwork Guidelines:
- Artwork should reflect the spirit and impact of international youth exchange - the people, experiences, and growth that make these programs life-changing.
- All mediums are welcome: traditional hand-drawn art or digital designs.
- Canvas size must be equal to or larger than 6 1/4" wide X 8 1/2" tall (portrait orientation preferred).
- Submissions must be original work and free of references to specific organizations, sports, or graduation imagery.
Deadline to Submit:
- Tuesday, April 1st, 2026
How to Submit:
- Submit artwork electronically via the CSIET contest submission form (details and files accepted in JPEG, PDF, or TIFF format). High-resolution scans (300 dpi preferred) should be ready in case CSIET requests them during finalist review.
Get Inspired
Each year's winners capture unique perspectives of what it means to be an exchange student - from friendships and cultural exchange to unforgettable experiences abroad. Their art becomes the fact of the next Advisory List! Check out these recent winners and past winners.
The Gift of My Host Family - Concluded January 9th, 2026
As we move into the holiday season here in the U.S., we encourage our hosted students to explore and reflect on what has made their exchange experience so special. Whether your host family has taught you how to cook their delicious recipes, told you a memorable family story, or included you on their unique traditions, we want to know: what is your favorite gift that you've received from your host family?
We would like to congratulate our two winners of this contest! Learn about their stories below: