AFS Intercultural Programs: High School Abroad in Germany

I was a CBYX student with AFS. The volunteers made my arrival in Germany so easy and were always willing to help. I grew so much over the year, I’m very grateful for the experience. The friends and family I made during my exchange year are so important to me.

My time in Germany presented many challenges, from switching host families three times to learning to be more independent, but every one of those challenges allowed me to grow as an individual! With the support of AFS USA and AFS Germany, my family back home, and the wonderful people in Germany, I was able to overcome these challenges and have the time of my life.

I was in AFS Germany, from 2011-2012. There were lots of social activities to do, the coordinators seemed to care about us, and we felt really safe. However, I wish counseling was an option with AFS at the time, to deal with the emotions one has during their stay in another country, and that they took mental health more seriously. I was being bullied in my host family and asked multiple times to be moved to another family, but nothing came of it other than telling my host family what I said, which made everything worse. Other than the host family issue, the school and program do take care of you, and ensure your safety.