Testimonials

From candidates

Andrew

My exchange to France was an amazing, life changing experience that has improved my French dramatically, given me a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a different culture, and newfound independence. Last term I was a C student in French and now I am currently sitting on an A student standard. Before I left to France my French was terrible. I was barley passing and could not understand most French sentences that were not spoken with at least 3-second intervals between words. However, now after my exchange I can easily hold basic day-to- day conversations with my French teacher and other teachers around the school who speak French. I am sure a big part of why you would want to go to France, or any exchange offered would be not only to understand the language, but the culture, history and traditions France has to offer.

Edwina

Stéphanie

Olivia

I stayed for 8 weeks and It was one of the best experiences on my life that has impacted and changed me for the better. Being given the independence to have to rely on myself and my host family for 8 weeks was amazing and has helped me grow as a person. Staying in France and attending school as if I was a typical French girl, I learned so about myself, the French culture and my skills in understanding and speaking improved so much as well. I was able to understand and speak French and it is such an empowering experience.

Jesse

With AFX Student Exchange, I had the experience of a lifetime during my linguistic exchange in France. I was very comfortable with the family I was placed with, it was a home away from home where I felt relaxed and comfortable, in a safe environment, ideal conditions for improving my language skills. Although at the beginning sceptical about how I might fit in with a new family and culture, I am happy to say that AFX Student Exchange nicely matched my interests and personality with an amazing family with whom I had the privilege to pursue the most beautiful language in the world.

Emma Fisher

3 months ago

I had an absolutely wonderful experience on the One Way French exchange program. I stayed with a beautiful, welcoming family in Nantes that made me feel comfortable and included from the beginning. I loved experiencing French culture, improving my language skills and becoming a part of my host family’s daily life.
AFX was extremely helpful and supportive throughout the entire process. They communicated clearly, regularly checked that I felt safe and comfortable and were always available to answer questions or provide assistance. Their care and attention gave my family and I great peace of mind. I am very grateful for the experience and would highly recommend this program to other students and families.

CHRISTIE-ANN WILLIAMS

7 months ago

This was such an amazing program for my son. Highly recommend AFX. They were always so professional to deal with and I felt very assured my son was in great hands. They matched him up to a wonderful family who suited me son to a tea. We can’t wait to reciprocate when we get our French exchange staying with us.

Brezun Jullien

"We were fortunate enough to host Australian students twice with AFX. It was a fantastic experience that we highly recommend. The AFX association was perfect in supporting us throughout the entire process! It was perfect and we highly recommend them as well!"

Stirling Hookway

8 months ago

Our son had a fantastic 6week stay with a perfectly matched family and has returned almost fluent.

Lilian Zhang

My daughter spent six weeks in France as part of an exchange program via AFX. She was very lucky to have a kind and welcoming host family and a supportive exchange class. During her time there, she made many friends at school and experienced two different cultures, especially from a teenager’s perspective.

The French school system is quite different from Australia’s. Students study several foreign languages, and science classes can last up to three hours, with each hour carefully planned. However, she felt that the mathematics level was generally lower than in Australia. Most French students travel to and from school by tram, and she enjoyed walking to the tram stops and chatting with friends along the way.

During the Christmas holidays, her host family took her to large extended-family gatherings with grandparents and relatives. This was very different from family gatherings in Australia. Even at home, men—including children—often wore suits and bow ties. She also noticed that French people eat dinner quite late. Because of this, families usually gather around 7 pm to have drinks and snacks together, followed by dinner, and then dessert—often chocolate. She shared how much French people love chocolate.

Overall, this was a wonderful experience. It not only improved her French, but also allowed her to live independently in another country and experience daily life in a different family and culture.

jenifer nguy

My daughter did the exchange program in France with the Berque family. We feel so grateful for how well they supported and cared for our daughter. She enjoyed her experience thoroughly and could not recommend them highly enough. Thanks again so much for everything. She will never forget her 6 weeks with your beautiful family.

Sally Brown

Our 17 year old daughter has just returned from her 6 week exchange in France and I can honestly say from start to finish AFX have been brilliant. Such a well run, well rehearsed operation. Our daughter was well matched with a lovely warm French family and we felt very comfortable throughout the entire journey, from the first application to her safe return home. AFX definitely exceeded our expectations and the end result is an incredible experience and lifelong memory. Probably for both families.

Nazanin Amini

9 months ago

I am extremely grateful to AFX for organising my son Archia’s four-week exchange to France. As a parent, I was naturally nervous at first, but AFX made the entire process smooth and reassuring from the beginning. Once we were introduced to the host family, I felt completely at ease. Throughout the exchange, Archia was well cared for, safe, and supported, and he returned with wonderful memories and new experiences. AFX was professional, attentive, and genuinely caring. I highly recommend AFX to any family considering a student exchange program.