I met some special friends for lunch
My husband and I hosted students through AFS, and as a volunteer, I have been a liaison for many students and families. One of the former students and his friend came back for a wedding in his host family. The host Mom let me know they were in town in case I wanted to meet them for lunch. We met yesterday. It is always so nice to see the students as adults.
He just finished his college, and is thinking about going on in dentistry. He is German, and he and his friend both talked about the free health care they have, including dentistry and orthodontics. In other words, in Germany, braces are free.
They also talked about the train system. The host parents had visited his family after he returned home and her daughter when she was a student in Germany, and she was awed when she was there using it. He showed me a picture of one of the train stations. 7 levels, trains to take you anywhere!
I loved hearing about these things from people who live in a country with universal health care and other advanced social structures. It was a non-political discussion and we all enjoyed our visit.
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I'm glad you had a good experience. I've met a couple of students from Turkey. I didn't do an exchange myself, but several people on the local chapter board exchanged and their experience is wonderful for students who might exchange and students who are hosted here. One went to France in the 1960's (on a liner!) and another went to Norway in the 1970s.
AFS is all online now and they love hearing from returnees 
afsusa.org
I'm glad you had a good experience.
We were able to stay in touch with all but one of the students we hosted, and many of the students and families I was a liaison for. And hosted students' families, friends and teachers. Kids on the Bus Stop. It is like our extended family <3
