US calls on Cordillera students for exchange program

THE American Field Service (AFS) is seeking to call on highland youths to come and study abroad. An orientation program will be at the Baguio City National High School on July 19, Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the selection of applicants.

AFS is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.

Products of AFS are Lorna Sabas of the Benguet National High School, Andrei Inso from the BCNHS and Julienne Casio from Pines City National High School, all of whom have participated in the experience of studying abroad.

Inso said, “three out of 40 Filipino exchange students represented the Cordillera Administrative Region in the fourth batch of the Youth Exchange and Study Program.”

The three become exchange students when they were in high school, lived with foster families for a year, and were lucky to experience the culture of living in another country and experience life as an AFS student.

Inso said the program gave him the opportunity to become an ambassador of goodwill while abroad and is now a student of the University of the Philippines.

The AFS aims to provide quality intercultural learning opportunities for the youth developing an inclusive community of global citizens determined to build bridges between cultures.

Inso said, “As ambassadors of goodwill we studied and shared the culture of the Filipinos, and the Cordillerans, in the United States for one year.”

Inso chose to study drama in Texas while on the AFS program.

Since 1947, AFS has given more than 400,000 students and young adult professionals the opportunity to travel abroad and embark on personal growth experiences.

“Changes have been made throughout the years which include additional exchange student program scholarships for qualified Filipino high school students,” Inso said.