There are three AFS rules you must remember!
- No Driving
- No Drugs
- No Hitchhiking
If you are involved in any of these behaviors or break any other laws, you may have serious legal problems. These rules are not debatable. If you break any of these rules, you will be returned to your home country immediately!
Follow All Laws of the Host Country
These include, and are not limited to:
- No illegal drugs
- No driving
- No pornography
- No smoking
- No hitchhiking
Be an Ambassador of Your Country
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Learning the definitions of “respect” as it relates to cultural norms in your host country
- Showing respect to your fellow participants, your host family members if applicable, and their beliefs and values.
- Showing respect to the staff and volunteers by listening, being punctual, and engaging with a positive attitude.
- Demonstrating through your actions that people from your country are empathetic and open minded.
- A helpful strategy to adopt during this time is to hone in on our observation skills and ability to learn and adapt through the mode of observation.
- How do others in your community communicate with one another?
- Tone
- Eye contact
- Body language
- What sorts of behaviors/patterns do you observe at home and in school?
- How do others in your community communicate with one another?
- Always take a learning based approach to your experience, culture shock i bound to happen, rather than have an immediate negative reaction to something different, approach it with curiosity and an eagerness to understand.
Reasons for Early Return
Reasons for an Early Return or Program Dismissal include, but are not limited to:
- Repeatedly leaving the group without permission.
- Ignoring and breaking program rules.
- Continued unwillingness to adapt to the program guidelines.
- Patterns of poor attendance for class, or afternoon activities.
- Unauthorized visits from sending family members or friends.
- Injury or illness which keeps one from regular participation in the AFS program.
Early Return
The consequence for breaking any of the AFS rules is program termination and an early return to your home country at your own expense. The following can also get you sent home early:
- Ignoring and breaking program rules.
- Continued unwillingness to adapt to the program guidelines.
- Patterns of poor attendance for class, or afternoon activities.
- Unauthorized visits from sending family members or friends.
- Taking unauthorized trips away from your host family or host community
- Continued unwillingness to or inability to adapt to the lifestyle of the host country or abide by host family rules
- Pregnancy or causing pregnancy
- Theft
- Mental Health challenges which impact the ability to fully participate in the AFS Program, require on-going and long-term care, or necessitate direct care of a parent/guardian. (i.e. Eating Disorders)
- Breaking local laws
- Moving to another host family not arranged for and approved by AFS
- Injury or illness which keeps one from participating in the AFS program, i.e. attending school or taking part in AFS or host family activities
- Failing to attend or pass school in your host country
- Repeatedly leaving the group without permission (short, chaperoned program).
Participation Agreement
Your participation with AFS began formally when you signed the Participation Agreement. This contract is legally binding; you have promised to adhere to the rules and policies it represents, including those mentioned above. Call your Study Abroad Specialist (1-800-AFS-INFO) with any questions you may have. Click here for a copy of the Participant Agreement. The Participation Agreement addresses the following:
- Terms and conditions of participation
- Safety and support
- Transportation and travel guidelines
- Medical support
- Program termination policies