Oh my God! What a strange culture shock and deja vu to be back at AFS Intercultural Programs after a three year break! Probably anyone reading this already knows, but I worked for AFS for more than 4 years, starting fresh out of college in 2000 and continuing through most of 2004, just before my move to Costa Rica. Working for AFS was the major force in my professional development and influencing my post-college friends circle. It occurred to me that I could have some fun while helping to pay for this trip. I applied to be a temp (an Information Center Seasonal Advisor) at AFS for two weeks while visiting friends in Portland. I can honestly say that I loved it!!! I got all the good parts of AFS without the burnout factor. It was inspiring and refreshing to be back on the phones, encouraging students to go abroad and families to host exchange students here in the US. (Ha ha... if you are interested or know someone who is, call 1-800-AFS-INFO to talk to an Advisor! The exchanges are mostly high school, but there are “18+ programs” for college age and beyond as well.) I also hope that I was also able to be helpful for new staff with my combined Admissions experience and phone techniques. Thankfully, I know that I was – it was gratifying to hear a new Seasonal Advisor say in a meeting: “It's been great to be able to listen to Sarah Joy. When I overhear her conversations (with students) I keep saying 'wow, what was that?! I need to write this (phrase) down to use it myself!'”.
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