AFS-USA Welcomes 16 Exchange Students from Around the World to Western Pennsylvania

Sixteen high school exchange students from 15 countries are arriving in the greater Pittsburgh area to begin an academic year of cultural exchange with local host families, schools, and communities.

The students, who arrived primarily on August 5 with several students arriving later in August, come from Romania, the Czechia, Germany, Chile, Italy, Iceland, Austria, Argentina, Thailand, Ukraine, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Japan, and Mongolia.

Through AFS-USA's intercultural exchange programs, students live with volunteer host families, attend local schools, and become active members of their communities. While students gain firsthand experience of American life, their presence also creates opportunities for families, classmates, educators, and neighbors to learn about cultures and perspectives from around the world.

“Hosting gives you the chance to become immersed in a culture without leaving your home,” said Kara Blakesley, of Pittsburgh, PA, a three-time AFS host mom.

For Tara Dolan, of Indiana, PA, a four-time host mom and AFS-USA Western PA volunteer team Hosting Coordinator, hosting has become an important part of her family's life.

“I initially doubted if we would ever find ‘time’ for hosting. However, after three years, it has become an essential part of who we are, and now I can't imagine our lives without it. We easily make time for it and still pursue the things we enjoy. In fact, our students have encouraged us to explore nearby places and town events we had never experienced before, allowing us to discover neat things in our own area. You will gain a new daughter or son from around the world and have the privilege of participating in citizen diplomacy,” said Dolan.

To learn more about hosting a student, visit https://www.afsusa.org/host-family/