International Households, International Influence: The Expertise of Host Households in Worldwide Youth Alternate, surveyed over 3,000 former AFS host households throughout 76 international locations.
In accordance with the report, 60% of respondents mentioned that they seen an “elevated curiosity about completely different languages and cultures” in host siblings – in addition to virtually half saying their social emotional abilities had additionally been enhanced by the expertise.
“It opened the minds of our kids to the massive variety of individuals on the planet, of how folks might be so completely different and from different cultures, however on the identical time so shut and related.
“We created bonds for all times. That’s indescribable!” mentioned Susana Liepa, a number father or mother responding to the survey from Latvia.
A number of host households additionally mentioned after the expertise they’d seen private development attributes equivalent to open-mindedness, empathy and “valuing variations”.
Daniel Obst, the CEO of AFS – which received the PIEoneer of the 12 months award in 2023 – mentioned that the world wants extra “intercultural understanding and empathy” in response to the report’s findings.
“By collaborating in worldwide youth change experiences, host households can have extra impactful experiences and be higher outfitted to contribute to a extra simply, equitable, and sustainable world,” he continued.
One nameless respondent whose household hosted a scholar in Colombia mentioned it was an “expertise that makes the household develop in tolerance, persistence and understanding” – nevertheless it took effort.
“[It] helps create lasting bonds. Nonetheless, for this to occur, the household should be conscious that it’s a tough problem and should put together for it, and perceive that the host scholar shouldn’t be a visitor or vacationer however reasonably one other ‘son’ – a member of the household,” they mentioned.
[It] helps create lasting bonds. Nonetheless, for this to occur, the household should be conscious that it’s a tough problem
Nameless AFS host father or mother, Colombia
“When you stay like this and in case you get the younger individual to affix this group effort, the expertise is greater than enriching and fruitful – that’s how we have now lived it,” they added.
Some 62% of the host households that responded to the survey are nonetheless linked to AFS, and mentioned there was nonetheless a “increased affect than in households who’ve misplaced contact”.
The examine mentioned that whereas there are challenges of internet hosting, because the respondent from Colombia detailed, the advantages “far outweigh the difficulties”.
AFS is, in response to the report, “enhancing its coaching and assist instruments… to raised put together native volunteers and workers to ship” the packages.
“Worldwide schooling is the perfect funding we are able to make, and we encourage governments, educators and others to assist be sure that intercultural exchanges and world citizenship packages are accessible to all,” added Obst.
