Host an AFS Student and travel the world!

That’s what the ad said in 1988. So we did … 15 times during the next 13 years. And what an incredible journey it has been. Our lives have been changed forever. Each student has enriched us in their own special way by sharing their culture, language, cuisine and family values with us. Learning to understand, appreciate and accommodate others has taught us patience and humility. Visiting students and their families in their home countries has been a wonderful experience. I wish everyone could have that experience. Many of our “international kids” continue to share their lives with us.

We eagerly learn that Phanu is happy working in Thai tourism, Paul is married and has a new baby in France, Renata is the director of an English school in Brazil, Scott is taking a break from university to work in a mine in northern Australia, Lili is an accomplished Argentine artist, Xavier is a practicing geologist in Belgium, Stine is working in Greenland and Karla runs a business in Peru. WOW! Each of our kids has grown up and is a positive functioning member of society. Every message leaves us with a warm feeling. It is humbling to realize that we have played even a small part in each of their lives.

It doesn’t get much better than this. Try it yourself. Host an AFS Student and Travel the World. It is a great journey that is good for your soul. Thanks for the memories AFS.

Remember
... People will forget what you said ….
... People will forget what you did ….
... But people will never forget how you made them feel!

Beverley and Lorne Matthews, High River (Alberta)

Hosting for the fourth time with AFS!

Welcoming a foreign student from Paraguay into our family with AFS, is without any doubt, the most exciting experience we ever got the chance to live!!! We are hosting for the fourth time with AFS and each time, it has been incredible! All the family members are delighted. My wife and I both love cultural exchanges and learning the customs from the native countries of our daughters, whom are from Thailand, Paraguay and New Zealand. Our three children, Emmanuel (9 years old), Camille (5 years old) and Nathan (3 years old) adore their older sisters and each one learns at his/her own rhythm to live with the new cultural differences in the house. I feel proud when my daughter, who attends nursery school, recognizes the flags of different countries and when she explains to the teacher and to her classmates that she knows people in those countries! Although her host sisters returned home, they will remain in our hearts forever. Hosting with AFS Interculture Canada enhances the foundation of the whole family, allows us to discover customs from elsewhere and to realize how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country, rich in diversity, nature and beauty.
Bibeau-Lemire Family – Drummondville (Quebec)