AFS highly discourages your family and friends from visiting during your exchange. AFS has learned from experience that visits from U.S. family and friends can be a serious disruption to adjustment. Our policies regarding family visits are included in the Participation Agreement.
If a visit from a family member or friend from home is being considered, be sure to adhere to the following:
- Family visit requests must be reviewed and approved by local volunteers, your host family, AFS-USA and AFS staff in your host country. Most AFS partner countries do not allow family visits during the first 4-5 months of the program. (See Independent Travel policy for more information)
- Visits should last no more than 3–4 days and not occur during key program phases or events, such as orientation and the initial and concluding months.