An overseas cultural experience without leaving home?

**yungatart** · 27th June 2008, 17:31

As some of you are aware, our young fella is off to Belgium very soon for a year as an AFS exchange student.
He has a host family and is very excited about the experiences he is soon to be havng.
This can only happen because a family in Belgium is willing to "adopt" him for a year.

There are 53 students from all over the world who are looking to come to NZ and learn about our culture, our way of life, and have a year (or in some cases, less) as a member of a Kiwi family.

We have one week to find host families for these young people. A "family" can be a single parent, retirees, empty nesters etc. The support from AFS is fantastic. You can opt to be a "welcome" family, 6 months, 3 months, work with friends to host the student between you, or as an extended family hosting unit.

You can access the AFS website at www.afsnzl.org.nz then click on student profiles. User name to view students is AFSvol and the password is peace.

If you think your family might like to help out one of these kids and learn a lot along the way...go for it!!!
Please PM me if you want any further information..or go to the link...

**yungatart** · 27th June 2008, 17:33

Who changed my avatar?????

Mst...rs...you are in the shit!

Back on topic now, sorry folks, as you were...where the hell is he...

**portokiwi** · 27th June 2008, 17:47

We have thought about that... we might wait till next year so my step son will be closer to the ages of the students.

**yungatart** · 27th June 2008, 17:50

How old is your step son?
For some kids it is really cool to have a younger "brother or sister".
The Belgian family that is taking our son has a daughter who is younger than him.
These kids can't get a visa without a host family, and a school.

**portokiwi** · 27th June 2008, 18:00

Hes just turned 14 and he is Portuguese.

**JimO** · 27th June 2008, 18:08

we have had 2 brazillian , 1 chinese, 1 thai, 1 Japanese student over the last 5 years and frankly im over them admittadly they were international students not AFS, but a friend had a AFS girl from chile who stole their credit card and went shopping so its not all beer and skittles