The safety and welfare of our participants are our highest priorities, and we want you to know that no matter what questions or problems may arise, there are AFS volunteers and staff available to assist. You should never hesitate to reach out to your local volunteers when needed.
AFS Host Family & Local Contact Person
Your host family and local contact person are the closest people to you. They are there to support you and help you adjust during your experience.
- You will be assigned a local contact person. Remember, titles for the “local contact person” vary by host country. (ex: tutor, mentor, counselor, liaison, volunteer, etc.)
- You will be given your local contact person’s full name, title, and contact information upon arrival. If you are not certain who this person is, please ask your host family, another AFS Volunteer or AFS Staff in your host country for clarification.
- Your host family and local contact person have cultural knowledge and experience that can help you adjust to life in your host country.
- Seek help first from both your host family and your local contact person, rather than friends or family back home, who may not possess the cultural insights and experience to help you navigate the cultural adjustment process.
Other Local Volunteers
AFS Volunteers in the U.S. and your host country can guide you throughout your AFS experience.
- Other local volunteers understand the local culture.
- They can also assist you in solving problems within the culture and social norms of your host country.
- Other local volunteers in the U.S. and abroad may deliver some orientations.
AFS Host Country Staff
The closest people to you will be able to help the quickest.
- AFS host country staff may deliver some orientations.
- They are directly linked to the rest of the AFS partner network and will act quickly to communicate with AFS-USA whenever there is a need.
- Ask for the local emergency number when you arrive and save it on your phone.
AFS-USA Support Staff
AFS-USA is poised to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week should a serious issue occur.
- AFS-USA has support staff and volunteers in the AFS-USA office and around the country.
- In the event of an emergency at home, AFS-USA staff will help your family communicate with you in a timely way.
- Take note of the emergency number in this article
Short Program Support Resources
Helping to ensure your well being while on the program is our number one priority and we do so through the following system of support:
AFS Program Staff
An AFS representative and/or AFS staff members for the program will be available to help you at all times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Especially in an emergency situation, they should be the first people you notify. You may choose to talk to your Program Counselors, Program Manager, or the Program Director.
Remember, we are here for you! You can always speak to a Program Staffer anytime you have a question or a concern, you need help, or are confused about something. You will receive contact information for your AFS Program Staff before departing for your program.
AFS Duty Officer
In the event of an emergency, and in the unlikely event that you cannot reach one of your onsite staff members, you may call the AFS-USA duty officer at: 1-800-876-2376, press 9. Each country also has its own Duty Officer contact information and will be provided to you before departure.
AFS Staff in Partner Country
AFS Staff in your host country will communicate back to AFS-USA if there is a need to inform your family of any issues that may arise.
Direct Communication from You to Your Family for Support
You should plan to call or email your family soon after your arrival. You may also choose to speak with your family directly, however, challenges on program, whether large or small should be shared with the onsite staff first so that AFS can support you, and address any smaller concerns before they becoming larger.
Refer to the AFS Chain of Communication article for additional information.