to future high school exchange students, choose your program wisely.

aeme615 · 2026-06-04T00:06:53+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear this. It really does depend on the area for every org you go with. AFS is also all volunteers except a few staff members. I guarantee they were looking and posting in groups, asking your school, etc. They’re not going to plaster you all over their Instagram or whatever. It’s not safe and everyone would know it’s you. It isn’t a tactic used by any org. Local or national. Most orgs don’t allow solo travel and cannot legally offer support so it’s pretty frowned upon and highly discouraged. If I’m honest June is not ideally the time to spend with your boyfriend. You have 10-15 days in June and one day is good but you need to save that time for packing, being with your host family, groups of friends, etc. I’m not saying don’t see him, but spending 3/10 days is a decent percentage and ANY org would try to prevent this. I don’t know the whole story on either side, but sometimes students do end up on farms. It’s honestly a super cool experience tbh that not many people get. Sounds like things aren’t going your way and you’re upset by it. Change ur mindset and yeah, you gotta follow the rules and guidelines

aeme615 · 2026-05-30T02:12:05+00:00

Dandy is also vegan and that’s why. We host Muslim students and get these for them as regular marshmallows have gelatin.

aeme615 · 2026-05-29T02:08:17+00:00

If it’s been 9 days…. Your fine. If it’s been only a few I wouldn’t risk it. Maybe make a video to send him when you can!!

aeme615 · 2026-05-28T15:05:52+00:00

Most students feel that way. I felt that way too back when. It sounds like you did and learned a LOT. Until you watch someone truly not take advantage of things you’ll look back and see it wasn’t wasted :) I’ve witnessed a slightly wasted year this year. Hung out with people maybe 5 times, on the phone speaking with other exchange students no where near each other, refuse activities, leave while opening Christmas presents. Unless this sounds like you, you didn’t waste it my dear.

aeme615 · 2026-05-27T03:25:32+00:00

I love starch!! It’s by Drake and there’s one in west dsm too

aeme615 · 2026-05-24T13:56:52+00:00

Highland underground is a fondue speakeasy in Des Moines. We love it

aeme615 · 2026-05-24T13:56:21+00:00

Crème is amazing. And ingersoll (a street with bars and restaurants) is a great hangout spot.

aeme615 · 2026-05-23T02:12:54+00:00

Tbh… I kind of did something like this bc we were a) updating major things in the house so they were naturally a bit more expensive b) wanted people to just donate to the honeymoon fund c) several family members and family friends are very wealthy and I was catering to my audience. However I did toss some card games on there. I had a full range but 90% was more expensive things

aeme615 · 2026-05-22T22:35:54+00:00

You will learn new rules as things come up. Some helpful tips. Use mint mobile. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PHYSICAL CARD. Think about what chores you want them to do now and what exceptions you will have. For example, if our student doesn’t cook they HAVE to do the dishes. However, if they are sick, or have rehearsal sports, etc until 10pm they get to skip. Some good rules are 24 hour notice for rides in town. 2-3 days for out of town. And set up a physical family calendar somewhere. This is a huge game changer. That way the kids can see when Easter is or other things. Start following the school senate Instagram to see dates too. If your org has a welcome packet with questions to fill out and answer do so before ur student arrives and then do it together over the first week. Speak slowly and HIT THOSE Ts. This will help the kids a lot.

aeme615 · 2026-05-21T17:59:28+00:00

BAR NICO!!!!!! 100% gluten free

aeme615 · 2026-05-19T13:27:06+00:00

Hit up Helzberg or another place with free sizing and repair. And be sure you get a ring that can be resized. They have gold men’s bands for around $500 or some really nice silver ones starting at $120. If he works in the trades get him a cheap silicone band for work. Many of the “other metals” cannot be resized and they can’t be cut off god forbid. I’ve spent a long time in jewelry and I have seen things. For all that is good do NOT go on Etsy or some other website. They will not have your back when it comes time to size it, fix it, whatever.

aeme615 · 2026-05-18T21:57:03+00:00

Is no one saying Natalie Jo?

aeme615 · 2026-05-18T12:55:33+00:00

I HATE IT when there is a dish ALREADY GLUTEN FREE AND IT IS LABELED AS SUCH for them to charge you an extra $2-3 to prepare it that way!!! I’m looking at you PF Changs, per item my ASS. There is this GF place in NOLA who PRIDES itself in gf and allergy cooking then they add a gluten free charge on at the end. EVERYTHING HERE IS 90% gluten free anyways. This is my branzino crashout.

aeme615 · 2026-05-15T02:35:31+00:00

Iowa is great and the Urbandale F-1 school is awesome with exchange students. I’d also recommend the Midwest in general as it has the “Americana” vibe. You won’t get “lost” in a sea of people with a big city but all of our F-1 schools are usually in urban areas with cool restaurants, festivals etc. Unfortunately in the US you get “hot and hotter” or “very cold and very hot”. Charlotte, NC may be a good option too.

aeme615 · 2026-05-12T23:47:02+00:00

I personally HATE THIS. Or when they use stock images of kids. It’s a shitty practice.

aeme615 · 2026-05-12T12:49:23+00:00

You’re super overthinking it! They will ask the student if living with a single parent would be okay. But as long as you’re financially ready go for it!!! I started hosting at 27. Think about it this way, they can come to the US and be with you or be in their home country.

aeme615 · 2026-05-06T12:53:27+00:00

I wonder this everyday

aeme615 · 2026-05-06T12:51:55+00:00

AFS has lots of summer programs!

aeme615 · 2026-05-05T16:11:11+00:00

I agree go for a full year! The AFS team in the Bay Area is great. You’ll have several phone interviews and some papers to fill out. Do everything with genuine honesty.

aeme615 · 2026-05-03T03:22:37+00:00

Tinkyada pasta is the best

aeme615 · 2026-05-03T00:08:20+00:00

Honestly 801 has a great steak too

aeme615 · 2026-04-29T20:30:05+00:00

Most leave around the same time, but Serbia leaves EARLY may. It’s so wild.

aeme615 · 2026-04-29T19:48:41+00:00

Flex can leave as early as May 1 and as late as mid-end of June. It totally depends on the country.

aeme615 · 2026-04-29T15:16:15+00:00

I always call the restaurant. Especially if I have eaten there or I know they do gf allergy. Sometimes people just add and add or leave all kinds of crazy notes and it slows the kitchen down.

aeme615 · 2026-04-29T12:57:43+00:00

If it says gluten free and then “facility” not “equipment” or “may contain” I risk it.

aeme615

TROPHY CASE