Transcription
AFS searches for family
A ten-month "experience" in international relations without leaving town - that's what AFS International/Intercultural Programs is offering Snow Hill families. Snow Hill AFS Chapter President, Gail Cooke, is searching for a family that will host an overseas student for the coming school year. The youngster will live with the family and attend classes at Snow Hill High School.
"The main requirement for an AFS host family is the parents' concern for and interest in young people," Mrs. Cooke says.
AFS International Headquarters in New York City carefully screen candidates who apply for a year's stay in the United States. Students come here from more than 60 countries. There are over 3,400 students from abroad currently living and studying in America this year.
"The AFS program can not only be beneficial to the student, but also extremely rewarding to the host family," Mrs. Cooke added. "A family may:
*acquire new perspectives about another culture
*experience the fun of a new and continuing friend-ship
*help a student discover the life of a community and a nation."
Aside from food costs and possibly some small incidental expenses, the host family incurs no debt in hosting a student. The local Chapter raises an annual fee which - when supplemented by whatever contributions the student can afford - covers AFS program expenses.
AFS also extends a monthly allowance directly to the student to cover incidental personal expenses. The organization makes sure host families will not have to pay medical bills for students. As a matter of policy, AFS extends medical coverage to its students.
Host families may take a monthly tax deduction in accordance with provisions made by the United States. Internal Revenue Service.
"So there is very little expense to a host family," Mrs. Cooke stressed. "What is really needed is something that cannot be bought love and attention that every young person wants in a home situation."
While many families participating in the AFS program include children who are high school students, any family is eligible to serve as a host. "Young families can have tremendous success when they volunteer hosts," Mrs. Cooke notes. "It becomes a learning experience for young children and for parents themselves."
Families interested in participating in the AFS experience are urged to write or call Gail or Bruce Cooke at 632-1319 or Ann Coates at 632-3857.