AFS Impact Study
1985
Study on the impact of the AFS program on young participants.
Between 1980 and 1985 Cornelius "Neal" Grove and Betsy Hansel realized a study on the impact of the AFS program on the young participants. The researchbrought to light five areas in which the AFS students differed significantly fromschool friends back home:
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interest in other worlds and the ability to accept lifestyles
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knowledge and appreciation of another culture
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the ability to communicate effectively in a foreign language
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adaptability to new and unexpected situations
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the sense of belonging to a global community
The same research also showed that in the boys who returned from an exchange- as compared to their peers back home - prevailed a less materialistic, lessconformist outlook, a better ability to communicate in public and a greater awareness of their cultural roots.