AFS Greater Chicago

08/31/2026

Full scholarships are available for US high school students to spend a semester abroad!

08/31/2026

Demir would love to become part of your family this school year! Visit afsusa.org/host to learn more and start the process of becoming a host family today!

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

It's not too late to welcome an AFS USA exchange student into your family this school year! Students like these are arriving soon, and would love to become part of our community.

Learn more, see more student profiles, or start your host family application at afsusa.org/host

08/19/2026

School's in session (or will be soon!) and one of these students would love to join your favorite class! There is still time to make this school year extra special by welcoming an AFS high school exchange student into your home. You'll be surprised at how much you learn about yourself, your family, and your community by hosting a student from another culture.

"We strongly believe there is great benefit to hosting students from around the world. The cultural bridges and human connections help make the world feel a little smaller. We are grateful for our partnership." -High School Principal Ben McMurray

Ready to get your class list complete by hosting one of these amazing students this fall? Find out more by visiting afsusa.org/host!

08/11/2026

Arthur visited Chicago, and it's now his favorite city in the world! He would LOVE to explore more and experience everyday life here. Would you like to learn more about Brazil, and help Arthur discover Chicago this school year?

More info about hosting is available at afsusa.org/host, and let us know if you're interested!

08/06/2026

Almost a week later and we’re still thinking about this group. 💛
Hosting The Table We Share meant watching our city through fresh eyes again, the ones our participants brought with them into Pilsen, Chinatown, Devon Avenue, Bronzeville, and every neighborhood in between. There’s something about sharing a meal (or a dumpling-folding station 🥟) that gets people talking in a way a lecture never could.

Huge thanks to our incredible and dedicated host families and volunteers who opened their homes and their weekends to make this week what it was! You’re the reason “cultural exchange” stops being an abstract idea and starts being dinner at someone’s table. 🫶

Chicago is about to be a busy city for AFS! Students for the 2026-2027 year just started arriving, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our beautiful city with more global travelers yet to come.

HostFamily ConnectAcrossCultures

07/23/2026

07/22/2026

Thank you Patti and Matt for having us on air! 🎙️🌎 AFS had a lovely time last week chatting about all things cultural exchange and living abroad, from culture shock to visiting host siblings after your program. Special thanks to Leni, Henrietta, Lison, and Sydney for chatting about their experiences with AFS!

Didn’t get a chance to tune in? You can still catch a recording of the livestream on Patti’s page, Driving it Home with Patti Vasquez!