Purpose: This study aims to examine how participation in international exchange programs influences both the teaching practices and intercultural competence of student teachers. Focusing on the experiences of Vietnamese participants in Thailand, the study explores how these educators adapted their teaching methods in response to cross-cultural…

Study findings showed that living with a new family in a foreign country has a major and direct impact on the quality of young people's relationships with parents, siblings, and friends. A sample of 300 recently returned AFS students were surveyed; 173 students completed questionnaires. The returned students assessed their communication with their…

A study is described that scientifically validates the common assumption that travel and exchange programs abroad are educationally beneficial. A questionnaire was used to ascertain which areas of students' lives had benefitted from overseas experience. (TE)

Experiences of 12 American families who hosted American Field Service (AFS) international exchange students (ages 16-18) are documented. The purpose of the study was to understand more fully the dynamics of the normal, reasonably satisfactory hosting experience. Each case study presents background information on the family, a narration of…

A principal mission of the American Field Service (AFS) Research Department is to carry out research and evaluation projects that could lead to increased understanding of the nature and impact of AFS exchanges. During the 1982-83 hosting year, three families in the U.S. Middle West agreed to participate in the study of the patterns of adjustment.…

The AFS Impact Study, initiated in 1977, is an attempt to document changes in learning and personal development associated with an intercultural "homestay" program. Completed in 1985, the study identifies several areas in which students show greater learning and educational growth than that shown by a group of students who had expressed interest…

A study was conducted to identify appropriate standardized tests of English second-language proficiency among foreign high school students after a three-month stay, for use in a battery of tests to determine achievement gains. Identification of three potential tests and further considerations in selecting the appropriate test are reported here.…

The dynamics of hosting foreign exchange students were studied by means of a longitudinal documentation of the experiences and feelings of 15 U.S. families before, during, and after the 10 months when they hosted an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student. Data were gathered by means of semistructured, open-ended, audio-taped interviews…