My name is Luciano and in this post I want to tell you about the two things that I learnt because of AFS (AMERICAN FIELD SERVICE)* . The first thing is for people who are in an exchange program right now or were a part of the program, and the second one is for those who are still thinking about joining the exchange program.
But before all of that, let me tell you a bit more about myself. Born in Mendoza, Argentina, where I spent first 11 years of my life (lots of good memories!), I’m now 22 Years old. However, because of the "corralito" (a big economic and political crisis that hit Argentina in 2001), I had to emigrate to Spain with my parents and sister. That was my first international adventure. I've to say it took me sometime, but after some months I made some great new friends and started to enjoy my new life. 6 years later, I had totally adapted to this new place (which I've come to call as “my place”), and had a lot of friends. It was at the time of my second year of high school, that my second adventure was about to begin. During those days, I was trying to figure out what I would like to study at university. One day, while having dinner, my mother gave me some information about studying abroad that she had read on the internet. It was the last week for applying to the exchange program. Forced by the time, and driven by instincts, I just applied without thinking too much about it. At that time, I didn't realize that it would be the best decision of my life.
One year later I was in Sendai, Japan, a totally new country to me, living with an amazing host family, and learning a new language. After ten awesome months of new experiences (I would need an entire book to describe how amazing it was), I went back to Spain, as a new person.
Now getting back to the point, let's talk about the two important things I mentioned earlier. Well here is the first (for those who are students of a current exchange program or were a part of it sometime in the past.) You might already know that you have changed a lot during your AFS year; some of you might be seeing the life, the people and the entire world in a different way. You most probably have new friends and a new family, and most importantly, you now know yourself better than before. Well, if the AFS year is/was this amazing, then why stop here? Even if you cannot spend another year abroad, you can widen your experience, and AFS can definitely help you with that. After coming back from Japan, I requested my family to host a student, and as cool as I am, this idea turned into another awesome experience. As I had already been in his shoes before, we made a deep relationship based on common grounds of similar experiences. Also, amazingly, hosting the student made me understand my host family much better and I realized the mistakes I made while leaving in Japan as a son. Later I also became AFS volunteer (and am still one, for 4 years until now) and it gave me, again, a whole new perspective to look at things. If I have to tell you about the best thing I get for being a volunteer, better than the formation one gets by organizing the different activities, even better than the amazing volunteer-AFS staff you meet - it is to help the students from different countries to have a life changing year. I see myself in them, and it permits me to reflect upon, and enjoy again and again my international adventure. That's my first advice, if u enjoyed your AFS year; there is no reason for you to restrict the experience to just one year.
One year ago, during my third year of university, I got the opportunity to come to Sendai again, this time as an exchange student at Tohoku University. A few months later, and after a lot of procedures and paper-work, I was flying to my host country again! It had been 5 years since I left. I was super nervous about meeting my friends and host family again. Now, I'm living in Sendai (already 9 months), meeting my host family quite often and enjoying the life here.
However, this year is much different than that of 5 years ago, and I will tell you how (keep in mind this is related to the second thing I talked about in the beginning). To people who think that high school years are too early for an exchange program, or it is better to participate in an exchange program during university years, I must say, you are wrong. Even if the two experiences (during high school and university) might be in the same form, for instance... living several months in another country, learning a new language, meeting new people, etc., the truth is that they are two different scenarios. The characteristics of the AFS year program make them a unique experience. Without AFS, you will hardly have the opportunity of living with a family from your host country. Normally, when you make an exchange as a university student, you will spend your year at a residence or a flat... And trust me the difference is infinite, living with a host family will totally mark your life. Secondly, as a high school student, you won't be that busy as I'm now (that is, as a university student), which will permit you enjoy your year in the best way. And finally as a High School student, you are in the most important years of your life. You are in the process of becoming an adult, what you will learn will totally mark the way you are for the rest of your life.
But hear me out a bit more. I'm not saying that coming to Japan again was a mistake. They are just different experiences (which complement each other), if you already have an AFS, I strongly recommend you to make an exchange again, thanks of your experiences; you will know how to enjoy it better than anyone.
Lastly, if you haven’t applied yet, do it, you will not regret.
Also, for those, who’re having an amazing time here, but will have to go back to their home country soon - Good news! You can widen your experiences by volunteering as a host family.
Regards,
Luciano.
* AFS is a non-profit international exchange organization for students
and adults that operates in more than 50 countries, and organizes and
supports intercultural learning experiences.
