Student Trips and Travel

Trips by students with their Host family

Students are considered a part of their host family and as such usually take part in family trips. For trips lasting more than 48 hours, they should contact their Area team Support Coordinator (ATSC) with information about dates and length of travel, and contact information. In case of an emergency in the student’s home country, he/she could then be contacted. In the event that a student cannot participate in a family trip, the above volunteers should be contacted to approve living arrangements while the family is gone.

***AFS students should not be left to fend for themselves without adult supervision.

Trips with School, Community Organization or AFS

Overnight trips sponsored by the school must be approved by the host family and an Area team Support Volunteer. If a school absence is involved, school permission must be obtained and assignments completed. Students are responsible for the cost of any optional trip.

Trips by a Student to Visit Relatives or Other AFS Families

If a student wishes to visit relatives or friends of their natural family who reside in the U.S., the following requirements must be met:

  1. Host family must approve the travel.
  2. At least one month prior to travel, students must contact their Area team Support Coordinator. Emergency contact information must be provided. NOTE: If the host family or ATSC does not grant permission, the student will not be allowed to go on the trip.
  3. Natural parent permission is required for all travel to visit relatives or other AFS Families.
  4. Note that AFS students traveling outside the U.S.A. may face certain visa requirements. Please plan ahead (a minimum of two months) and contact your AFS Support person if you are planning a trip requiring a passport (including cruises) and he/she will assist you. You may need to get a travel waiver.

For additional information, consult the Host Family Handbook.

Information about Travel to Mexico

(From Carrie O’Callaghan, AFS USA Travel and logistics Coordinator, Feb. 9, 2007)
If the student is traveling with the host family, AFS does not need to obtain a travel waiver. However-1) verify that the student has a multiple-entry visa for the US. This can be done by looking at the US Visa in the passport which indicates if a student may re-enter. 2) Send the student’s “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status” to the travel and Logistics Coo-coordinator, AFS USA, 506 SW 6th Ave. 2nd floor, Portland, OR 97204. Be sure and send this with Certified Mail, and send a pre=-paid envelope as well. 3) Research any documents that Mexico may need in order for the student to go on this trip.

Independent Travel

Students are not permitted to travel around the U.S. on their own or with other students; Independent vacations and sightseeing are not allowed. If these rules are not followed, the student will be released from the AFS Program.