A: AFS
AFS stands for American Field Service. It started as a group of ambulances in the two world wars. They went on to form an organization that sends and receives exchange students. They began in 1914 and are now active in over 50 countries worldwide.
AFS stands for American Field Service. It started as a group of ambulances in the two world wars. They went on to form an organization that sends and receives exchange students. They began in 1914 and are now active in over 50 countries worldwide.
B: Blogging
Whether it's on an actual blogging platform or just Facebook, exchange students have the power to share their experiences with the whole world instantly. Not only does it preserve their memories in a new way, but blogging also can help open a window for others to see a new country.
C: Culture Shock
Culture shock is the initial moment of difference. When you first get to a new country you are overwhelmed with the differences, or even lack there of.
D: Different
Despite growing globalization, there are differences. How could there not be? You're in a different country, a different culture. You soon learn that some things aren't good or bad, they're just different. And different is okay.
E: Exchange
While being an exchange student, you exchange a lot of things. Phone numbers, recipes, currencies. You might be giving up some things, but you get other things in return.
F: Food
AFS also stands for Another Fat Student. As exchange students, we eat a lot of food. Another culture brings another cuisine and you have to eat it all. All of it. Eat all the food. Food.
G: Gaining Self Confidence
The exchange year is short. Too short to be anyone but yourself. On exchange you can discover who you are and learn to love the real you without the pressures of your home community.
H: Homesickness
No matter how great your year is, and how much you love everything, you're going to miss things. Of course your family and friends is a given, but you'll miss things you never thought you'd miss. (Aka wearing shorts)
I: International
AFS has been in my life for 10 years. Because of this, I have friends all over the world. Not only have I met great people in Egypt, but I've hosted and gotten to know great people in the US as well.
J: Journey
Traveling for three days to get to Cairo was exhausting, but it was liberating and the first time I've felt really independent. The cliche is true. The destination is fine but the journey is great.
K: Keeping in touch
While abroad, you keep in touch with people at home. At home, you keep in touch with people abroad. It's just one big separated international family.
L: Lessonades
Learning is a big part of studying abroad. Not just in school, but in the community. You learn about a new culture, new people and even yourself.
M: Memories
This one's a given. This is truly the experience of a lifetime. Something you'll remember forever.
N: New Friends
It's really weird to think that if I hadn't come to Egypt, I wouldn't have met some of the best people I've ever known. Sometimes your sole mate (me and my Swedish sister have the same shoe size) was born and raised thousands of miles away.
O: Opportunities
Because I've gone abroad, I've been given some great opportunities. I've worked at the World Health Organization and I'll be featured on the AFS blog. I've learned a bit of a new language and I've met great people.
P: Patriotism
As an ex-pat (ex-patriot) you are a representative of your home country. The way you act reflects on your country. It's part of your identity, whether you like it or not.
Q: Questions
I ask so many questions. No question is a stupid question, but I ask some pretty stupid questions. Asking is how you learn so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
R: Returnees/Reverse Returnees
If you studied abroad with AFS you become a returnee when you get back to your home country. If you end up going back and living in your host country, you become a reverse returnee.
S: Speaking a new language
Has my Arabic improved? Yes. Significantly? Maybe. Am I fluent? Not even a little. Do I still try? Hell yeah.
T: Tourism
I may live here and go to school here, but I am here on a touristic visa. I am a tourist. And I am proud to be a tourist.
U: Understanding, Cross Cultural
I don't agree with a lot of things in the Egyptian culture. I still don't fully understand some of them, but I accept them. I ask questions and I don't judge. (More on this in my previous post "Lessonades")
V: Variety
Whether you're abroad, hosting, volunteering, or working as a liaison, life with AFS has variety. You are almost never bored and there are always some great opportunities waiting.
W: Wanderlust
/'wɒndəlʌst/
noun: a strong desire to travel
X: eXperience
Being in another country has given me opportunity to experience things that I wouldn't be able to experience in the US (*cough* pyramids *cough*)
Y: YOLO
There is a lot of hate with this slang word or acronym. It means: you only live once. It's our generation's Carpe Diem. And many people think the term "yolo" is stupid. But it's true. You only live once. Seize the day. The world is a book and those who don't travel only read one page.
Z: Zzzzzz
Being an exchange student is tiring. Tiring but worth it. I get about eight hours of sleep a night and I still have dark circles and bags. Sleep is recharging for tomorrow's adventure.
Learn something today.
Byeeeee
Corie.
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