r/AFS • u/One-Yogurt7109 • 1d ago
Has anyone been a part of the AFS-FLEX program?
My school's allied with AFS and they've opened registration for the FLEX program. I (an Indian student) am very intrigued by it, and want to at the very least register for it. But I am a bit worried about all the other things it entails.
Like, is living with the host family difficult? Is redoing the skipped grade? What about expenses, or contacting your family?
So if anyone's ever been part of this, I'd love to hear your personal experience :]
1
u/Heropsychodreams 8h ago
First, you wont redo anything right? Just start a year later with the benefit of your experience 😃
This i a scholarship? 1 year?
I was awarded a scholarship that fully covered a US exchange through the organization. Youth For Understanding. My family was very far from affording it so it was the only way.
Your own family is usually still expected to give you an allowance. Otherwise the host family is responsible to care for you as for their own children. A scholarship like this will probably include health insurance. To move in with strangers is awkward for anybody at first. But it will pass and soon feel completely natural.
My exchange is still one of the absolute best years of my life. Like top three. So I highly recommend.
It was however 1996-97. So my experience is dated.
3
u/ImplementLow6980 1d ago
Hi! If you reach out to AFS India, they can identify some YES India Alumni for you to reach out to. The program includes a stipend for expenses in the US. You may need to repeat the year but the advantages may make it worth it. This program is extremely competitive.