Apart from organizing overseas exchange programs, AFS also receives secondary exchange students from around the world for cultural exchanges. In this 10-month program, overseas exchange students will have contact with local students and families, thereby allowing them to understand and experience the characteristics of local culture and daily life.
Like other local students, they will also study in secondary schools and participate in various cultural and community activities. While they are in Hong Kong, they need local families who are open and receptive to foreign cultures to provide them with accommodation and care on a voluntary basis. These are called AFS Host Families.
Requirment of being a AFS Host Family
As families in Hong Kong usually live in small flats, many people think that they are not eligible to receive and live with an exchange student. In fact the following qualities are looked for when deciding whether a family is eligible to become an AFS Receiving Family:
1. The care and receptiveness of the applicant family;
2. The support and openness of each family member to the idea of receiving a foreign student;
3. Provision of food and bed (no extra room is necessary) during the exchange period (from August to July); and
4. Provision of care and life guidance for the exchange student, etc.
