Since 2011, Carmen Cheung and her family have quietly accomplished something truly inspiring—hosting 17 exchange students from around the world. From a hesitant exchange student parent to an open-hearted host family, and now a support volunteer, Carmen embodies the essence of “global citizen.” In September 2026, she was honored with the APIN Volunteer Award 2026 in Bali. This prestigious recognition not only celebrates her years of selfless dedication but also highlights how intercultural exchange can enrich a family’s life.
My AFS Journey: From Exchange Student Parent to Host Family and Volunteer
APIN Volunteer Award 2026 Winner Carmen Cheung
A Connection with AFS Sparked by Daughter
I am often asked by friends how I first came to know about AFS. Every time, I tell them that this remarkable journey began in 2011.
At that time, my daughter, Coco, was just 15 years old. One day, she asked me, “Mum, I’d like to study abroad and see more of the world.” After thinking it over, I replied, “Studying overseas is a great idea, but we need time to plan. Tuition and living expenses abroad are very expensive.”
Coco immediately explained, “I’ve already done some research. There’s an organization called AFS Intercultural Programs. Every year, they send secondary school students on a ten-month cultural exchange around the world. The local office helps match students with suitable host families and arranges for them to attend a nearby school. Because AFS is a non-profit organization, participants only need to pay a reasonable exchange program fee.”
Hearing this, my first thought was, “What kind of profound generosity moves a family to selflessly give their time and resources to welcome a complete stranger into their home, caring for their daily needs?”
After discussing it as a family, we decided to support Coco and went through the application, documentation and interview process. Two months later, Coco was accepted for her exchange in Switzerland, and I was invited to an AFS parent orientation session.
At the session, hearing about the origins and philosophy of AFS moved me deeply. AFS was founded by volunteers who had lived through two World Wars. They recognized that international misunderstandings and conflicts often stem from cultural differences and a lack of mutual understanding. Therefore, they established AFS with the aim of promoting communication and mutual understanding across cultures, while helping young people develop intercultural competence, language skills, independence, and a global outlook. Once our family truly understood the meaningful mission of AFS, we eagerly applied to become a host family ourselves.
From Language Barriers to Active Listening: Growing Through Interaction
Becoming a host family was not without its hurdles. With limited English proficiency and little experience, I faced many challenges early on. A turning point came in 2013 when Coco returned from Switzerland. Sharing her honest feelings and experiences as an exchange student gave me deeper insight into what young people need and prompted me to rethink how I interacted with our hosted students.
Communication, in particular, saw a huge shift. I used to use a directive tone: “You should do this… You must do that.” Coco gently suggested an alternative: “Why don’t you try doing it this way instead?” That simple change in phrasing made a world of difference. It made students much more receptive and taught me that encouragement is far more powerful than criticism. With Coco’s guidance, my confidence grew, my communication skills improved, and I continued to learn with every hosting experience.
Over time, my role expanded. Today, I serve primarily as a support volunteer. Whenever a student needs a temporary host home due to special circumstances, I am always ready to help so they can complete their exchange journey smoothly.
Whether serving as a host parent or a support volunteer, I have learned an invaluable lesson through interacting with various host families and exchange students: whenever difficulties arise, patience, mutual trust, and open communication can resolve almost any problem, allowing genuine and lasting friendships to take root.
Passing the Torch: Contributing to World Peace
Looking back over the past 15 years, I am profoundly grateful to my daughter, Coco. Her decision back then opened the door for me to join the AFS volunteer family, meet like-minded friends, gain new knowledge, and enrich my life immeasurably.
I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to my husband for his constant companionship and support. Even when English communication posed a challenge, his humor and wisdom always diffused any awkwardness, keeping our home filled with laughter and providing our exchange students with a warm, welcoming environment.
Finally, my sincere gratitude goes to the entire AFS team for their long-standing trust and encouragement. It is through your dedication that this meaningful work continues to thrive—allowing people from diverse cultural backgrounds to understand and respect one another, working together toward a more peaceful world.
Carmen has hosted 17 exchange students, building a bridge of love and cultural understanding across the globe. This bridge has connected young people from all corners of the world while illuminating her family’s journey. Warmest congratulations to Carmen Cheung on receiving the APIN Volunteer Award 2026! Her kindness and dedication truly embody the spirit of a global citizen.