The AFX Story
In the mid 1990's Elisabeth Thomas, co-founder of AFX, was looking for exchange programs for her children, who, like many French students, wanted to go on exchange to improve their English language skills and experience different cultures. The programs she saw were not organised to the standards she required. It was at this time that Elisabeth met Ben Dinning, AFX's other co-founder, an Australian student on exchange in France, who was being hosted by family friends of Elisabeth Thomas. Ben and Elisabeth discussed student exchanges, and upon Ben's return to Australia, he organised an exchange for Elisabeth's daughter, Vinciane.
Vinciane's exchange to Melbourne was such a success that many of Elisabeth’s friends asked for Elisabeth and Ben to organise a similar experience for their children. Demand for this service grew, and Elisabeth and Ben created AFX as a company in 2001. AFX aims to provide exchanges of the highest quality, where all families and students are treated with the same level of care as that first exchange . Every student in Australia and France is visited in their family home by the AFX team; personalities and lifestyles are carefully matched; safety and quality are foremost; and the AFX team is always contactable whilst on exchange.
AFX has offices in Melbourne, Australia, and Paris, France. AFX is able to place Australian students in Paris and it's best suburbs, or in regional France should that be preferred. It also means that it is AFX, and not agents or contractors, who will deal with every aspect of your program and are available at all times during your exchange.
“AFX are specialists in our field, we focus only on programs between Australia and France. Every member of the AFX team has an unmatched level of understanding and experience in Australia and France, and will individually handle every aspect of your application. From your one-on-one interview all the way to your departure from France. It is this personal touch that makes every AFX program a beneficial, unique and unforgettable experience.”
Since those first days, AFX has grown and now has a number of staff all ready to help you plan your student exchanges for high school students, and a number of new programs for those post high school. AFX now works with a number of Australian schools, planning, organising and taking school groups on cultural tours and exchanges to France.
The Team
Elisabeth Thomas is the mother of a French family. She lives in the west side of Paris and has been involved in the organisation of exchanges for her children in both Australia and the USA. She has also hosted a number of exchange students in her home. Elisabeth is involved in interviewing French families and on-the-ground support whilst the students are in France.
Jacques Thomas, Elisabeth's husband, works with AFX's programs in France and ensures the support of the Australian candidates while they are in France. He has traveled widely and lends his expertise to the running of the AFX website and the application system.
Vinciane Thomas was the first candidate to go on an AFX exchange program to Australia. She knows what it takes to go on an exchange, is able to answer all questions, and understands the expectation of the candidates and their family. Vinciane has a Bachelor of International Law from Paris University and a Masters of International Business from Monash University. She is now AFX General Manager in Melbourne.
Tom Jepson is the Business Manager in the Melbourne Office. He has lived in France for several years, and understands both countries and their cultures. Tom has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Diplomacy and Trade from Monash University. He is also a Qualified Education Agent Councellor, and is trained in helping to place French students in the Australian education system.