AFS: The Transformative Force of Human Connections

By Carmen Fallas

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In August of 1977, I embarked on a transformative journey as an AFS exchange student.? Alongside 59 fellow Costa Rican adolescents, bound for New York. Though tinged with apprehension, our spirits soared with the promise of reuniting with nearly 2000 peers from across the globe, converging upon the United States for a year of profound intercultural exchange.

Following unforgettable days full with newfound friendships, impassioned conversations, and captivating talent displays representing diverse corners of the world, those of us destined for various towns in Southwest Missouri found ourselves boarding a bus bound for the uncharted territory of our personal journeys.

Welcomed into the warm embrace of a new family, who graciously undertook the task of integrating a cultural stranger into their lives, we promptly acclimated to our novel surroundings. Within a week, we found ourselves welcomed by a fresh cohort of classmates and teachers at our new high school.

The year that resulted, from 1977 to 1978, proved to be a crucible of intense learning and personal growth, leaving an indelible imprint upon each of us: a broadened worldview, a heightened appreciation for diversity, bonds with host families that many still cherish as their own kin, and a tight-knit circle of 45 friends covering 30 nations.

Upon completing our AFS year, the organization ushered the 45 of us onto bus number 48, to Washington D.C. What had initially developed as camaraderie now solidified into a profound fraternity. Tearful farewells revealed the deep-seated belief that our paths might never again intersect.

Returning to our respective homelands, we immersed ourselves in studies, pursued careers, and formed families. For many, the connection languished until two decades ago, when our dear friend Jean-Edouard HAUCHECORNE from France resolved to track us down. Through tireless correspondence with our host families in the United States, he meticulously collated our email addresses and phone numbers, eventually managing to reestablish contact with most of us.

In 2013, this labor of love culminated in an unforgettable reunion in Marstal, Denmark organized by him, my dear friend Jarmo Sorvari from Finland and our amazing host from Denmark Tina Reissmann . Despite the divergent trajectories our lives had taken, the bedrock values that motivated us to embark on the AFS adventure remained unaltered. We belief in the power of love, we share a solid faith in humanity, we have a profound respect for diversity, and shared commitment to nurturing and fortifying our friendships.

Having had the privilege of organizing a second reunion in March 2024, with Tina’s and Edgar Mata support, this time in my homeland of Costa Rica, I am struck by the enduring power of love and the formidable strength of our collective will. As the final farewells are ending after an enchanting time together, I am convinced that the bonds we have forged through AFS will remain, serving as a testament to the transforming force and incomparable value of human connections.

#AFS #HumanConnections #TransformativeJourney #CulturalExchange #FriendshipGoals #LoveKnowsNoBorders