Once you have been accepted to go abroad with AFS you will receive an email with information and links to join our AFS Welcome Series of webinars that are designed to help you prepare for your experience abroad. Below is an outline of when you can expect to receive information about the webinar series and a description for each one.
| When will I receive information about my webinar series? | When will my webinar series take place? | |
| January-April Program Departure | September/October | November - January |
| June - September Program Departure | March/April | May - July |
Note: Travel webinars may take place closer to your departure
AFS Welcome Series: Say Hello to your fellow class of AFSers!
Audience: AFS Students
Description: Meet the other students in your AFS cohort and explore the intercultural tools AFS provides to help you prepare for your time abroad. These resources will equip you to navigate cultural differences and make the most of your experience in a new environment.
AFS Welcome Series: Preparing for Host Families, Schools, Visas and More
Audience: AFS Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Description: This webinar is facilitated by the AFS Study Abroad staff who have been working with you and it is designed to help you prepare for the period between your application being sent to the host country and your international departure. This webinar covers program and preparatory logistics, including what type of host family to expect, when to book domestic travel, basics on applying for a visa, paying your program fee, etc.
AFS Welcome Series for Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Supporting your Family’s Study Abroad Journey:
Audience: Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Description: Parents and guardians of AFS students, join us to learn how to best support your student throughout their journey. Discover who to contact for assistance while they are abroad and what to expect during their intercultural adjustment.
AFS Welcome Series: Being You Abroad
Audience: AFS Students
Description: This webinar will explore identity and self-perception, both at home and abroad. Through interactive activities and breakout discussions, participants will reflect on their cultural lenses when engaging with different cultures and perspectives.
Topics include stereotypes, expectations vs. reality, perceptions of being American, celebrity status, cultural fatigue, and self-care. We invite all participants to attend and consider how their experiences shape their views of other cultures, and how others' experiences influence their perception of them.
This webinar will also help you identify strategies and resources for a safe, meaningful, enriching experience abroad. All students, regardless of cultural background, are encouraged to attend.
AFS Welcome Series: Alumni Panel & Regional Insights
Audience: AFS Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Description: This webinar focuses on the exchange experience in specific geographic regions. Designed to help you prepare for your exchange by hearing directly from AFS alumni themselves this webinar will feature a panel of AFS Alumni who will share their experiences on topics such as:
- Preparing to leave home and adjusting in the first few weeks
- Life with a host family and navigating cultural differences
- School life, language learning, and making local friends
- Strategies for self-care, communication, and reflection while abroad
Insights shared will help you better understand cultural norms, expectations, and how to make the most of your time abroad.
AFS Welcome Series: Telling Your Story with AFS
Audience: Optional for AFS Students
Description: Come and here about ways you can share your story and leverage your experience with a variety of marketing tools and creative mediums. We will discuss ways to connect and collaborate with peers and consider how best to market your experience for college and job applications.
Program Specific Webinar
Audience: AFS Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Description: Depending on your program, you may be invited to a webinar that is facilitated by a program chaperone and covers program specific logistics, including travel to the host country, program schedule and activities. This is more prevalent for short summer programs.
AFS Welcome Series: Travel Webinars
Audience: AFS Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
Description: About a month before your departure AFS travel staff will conduct a travel webinar specific to your destination country. You will learn about what to expect on your day of travel and how best to prepare. We will discuss your domestic travel plans, how to navigate international airports, what to do in case of travel issues and more.
Welcome Home!
Audience: AFS Students
Description: After you return, join us for a special Welcome Home Webinar - a chance to celebrate your exchange journey alongside fellow alumni. Together, we'll reflect on your experiences abroad, share stories, and explore how to carry your new perspectives forward.
If you have questions about the webinar series, please email studentlearning@afsusa.org