Hosted Student Orientations
AFS Orientations are usually scheduled at five critical junctures in the cultural adjustment cycle to provide guidance and support to both participants and their host families throughout the year. Make sure to check with your local AFS Volunteer for the specifics regarding these orientations in your community. Although the schedule and format of orientations vary throughout the country, the sequence is as follows:
- Arrival Orientation – within a week of arrival of the hosted participant in the U.S.
- Post Arrival Orientation - 6-8 weeks after student arrival (Year Program students only)
- Mid-Year Orientation - Mid-way through the year program (usually mid-January)
- End of Stay Orientation - 6-8 weeks prior to the hosted participant’s return home
- Departure Logistics Webinar – 1-2 weeks prior to the hosted participant’s return home
Note: Students arriving in January will have an individual arrival orientation with a local volunteer then have be expected to join Mid-year orientation (if it is offered) and End of Stay orientation and the Departure Logistics Webinar with the rest of the group
Please note that it is REQUIRED that your hosted participant attend all orientations offered by the AFS Area Team/Chapter in your area. Please do all that you can to facilitate your hosted participant’s attendance at these events. If this is not possible, we ask that you please notify your local volunteer so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Please ensure that arrangements are made (contact AFS volunteers for assistance if needed) if you are unable to bring your hosted participant to the required AFS orientations. Additionally, host families (i.e. host parents and/or host siblings) are often invited to certain orientation events along with the participants, and we encourage you to attend whenever possible.