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Excellent processes throughout and most importantly, very thorough and thoughtful 'matching' of candidates. As a parent I was extremely satisfied with all aspects of AFX service.
(Abigail's Mother - SCEGGS Darlinghurst - 2011)
The exchange was wonderful! The family selection was great! Both of the families were welcoming and wanted to have me there. They organised many different activities for me to do. I met some life long friends and each weekend i am having skype conversations with my correspondents to keep up my french but also to keep in contact. I think that it was a great idea to all go over as one big group as it enabled to meet people.
Having the lady on the plane with us was great as well as it was someone to talk to if you were a tad a nervous or had some questions.
I could talk about the positives all day!! I loved spending Christmas with the french family as it enabled me to view a different type of Christmas.
(Kate - Ravenswood School for Girls - 2011)
Very well organised and fantastic support was there if needed. Great matching with boy with really similar interests lots of French dialogue - it really improved my french speaking and listening.
(Max's Mother - Woodleigh School - 2011
I liked getting a call from you guys at the beginning and end of the exchange. It let you know that you weren't all alone which was nice especially in those first few days when everything is all new. Having other people from Australia who have done the exchange to fly home with was definitely a highlight and a strong reason to do it with a company like AFX.
(Lara - Queenwood School For Girls - 2011)
She has had such a wonderful time in all areas, and it has been such a great experience for her. When Sophie stayed with us, we couldn’t believe how lucky we were to have such a lovely girl who just “fitted into” our family. It was not luck, however, but a really well-organized group who facilitated this. Molly and Sophie now have, what I’m sure will be, a life-long friendship. Sophie has also become like another member of our family. We thank you very much for this. We take great pleasure in mentioning your name when others show interest in an exchange to France.
(Molly's Father - Braemer College - 2011)
- French speaking improved
- Understanding of the French lifestyle improved
- Made many friends
- Became more independent
- Became more responsible
- Saw snow for the first time !
- Thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the French lifestyle
(Georgina - Fintona Girls School - 2011)
Chère Madame, Je reviens vers vous avec un grand retard pour vous indiquer que le voyage de Pauline en Australie s’est très bien passé. La famille dans laquelle elle a été reçue était formidable et la jeune fille parfaite. Pauline entretien d’ailleurs des liens d’amitiés avec elle. Nous nous réjouissons de la recevoir à Noël. Ses parents passeront en France l’année prochaine et cela sera l’occasion pour nous de faire plus ample connaissance. Je tenais donc à vous informer de ces bonnes nouvelles et vous en remercier.
(Pauline's parents - Lycée Condorcet - 2010)
Everything was positive. Cecile was the perfect exchange student and we loved every minute of her being with our family. She fitted in perfectly.
(Peri's mother - Xavier Catholic College – 2010)
Good to meet student that I will be staying with in France, and be able to show them Australia.
(Dean - The Hills Grammar School – 2010)
Marguerite was an excellent match for our family. She was well behaved, enthusiastic and always cheerful. We were delighted that she was chosen for our family.
(Georgina's mother - Firbank – 2010)
It was a very rewarding 5 weeks. Lots of fun. Great friendships were forged between our daughter and the exchange student and us and her parents. They continue to communicate regularly through facebook.
Charlotte's mother - Gennazzano – 2010)
Our exchange student was delightful. She really became a part of the family and we were all very sad to see her leave. She enthusiastically embraced every opportunity and was such a positive influence on India and our other children.
(India's parents - Hayleybury - 2010)
It was reassuring to see AFX reps. present at the airport at both arrival and departure of student. I liked the phone calls to Sophie whilst she was staying with us to check how she was going. I thought the original questionnaire regarding likes/dislikes of a prospective student was very thorough. it has been a great experience for us.
(Molly's parents- Braemer College – 2010)
The matching of our student with Bridgette made it so positive she had similar interest and was keen to be a part of the family activities. When Bridgette was away this was also reflected in how she was cared for by her host family. Bridgette has benefited from the AFX program in many ways. Her listening and speaking skills have improved but it is more than that she has lived the french way and seen Paris through the eyes of a Parisian and at the age of 16 this is such an opportunity. The benefits that our family gained from opening our home to some one were enormous. The AFX team dealt with any issues we had with efficiently and promptly and this gave us such peace of mind.
(Bridgette's mother - Loreto Mandeville Hall – 2010)
Taylen had a wonderful experience with a very loving and generous family. We could not have asked for a better matched family and we have been very blessed with both experiences. Keep on doing what you are doing...you people rock.
(Taylen's parents - Kardinia International College – 2010)
As a parent, I felt AFX managed both personal and practical tasks with great competence. I also felt that AFX staff had a clear understanding about the needs of teenager children taking the trip.
(Bradley's mother - Melbourne High School – 2010)
The AFX people (the whole team) were really friendly. They made us feel our family was really important to them. We think that this may be because AFX is a family run organization, rather than a large global business.
(Pippa's parent - Ivanhoe Girls Grammar – 2010)
Getting to know 2 other families and their way of living in France. Being treated as part of their families means that I now have 2 other homes to visit in the future.
(Chris – Brighton Grammar School – 2010)
I liked the fact that AFX telephoned several times, and were very well organized both in their arrangements and at the airports. I felt comfortable to be traveling such a long distance with a group rather than by myself. Holly had a wonderful time and enjoyed her host family. It was a perfect match and she could not have been happier.
(Holly's mother - MLC - 2010
Time and thought that went into finding the right match of family. I would just like to thank AFX and Harvey World Travel. Joe had a wonderful time (as well as improving his French), I would also like to thank the French family in Toulouse who looked after him so well.
(Joe's mother - The Geelong Grammar – 2010)
Language improvement. Cross cultural experience. Added maturity and confidence in my daughter. Relationship established across both families. Just a huge thank you. We were thrilled with the service you provided and Tilly had the most wonderful experience.
(Mathilda's mother - St catherine's Scool – 2010)
This was an excellent experience for myself: it provided a great opportunity to experience the differing viewpoints and lifestyles of a foreign culture, all the while forging strong links with the family I stayed with. The matching of correspondents, in my opinion, was done quite well and the personalities of myself and my host were well-matched.
(Joseph - Kardinia International College – 2010)
Our family have been rewarded with the many special memories from having our exchange student. Constance and Charlie have become very close and this friendship has enhanced their language skills. I believe this has a lot to do with AFX matching the families together that have similar interests.
(Charlie's mother - The Braemer College – 2010)
A truly wonderful and engaged family. Wonderful opportunity to join in family life in France. Lifelong friendships made. AFX made a wonderful job with this exchange.
(Jack's mother - The Geelong College – 2010)
The overall structure of the exchange is very good as it provides the student with a certain level of independence yet their is always someone their to assist if required.
(Kelly's parents - Camberwell High School – 2010)
We would like to thank you for the excellent organisation. Our daughter Caitlin had a wonderful time and has gained a great deal from the experience. We were particularly happy with the apparent thought that went into the host family selected - I'm sure its a difficult task and doesn't always work out but it worked very well in this case! We are more than happy to be contacted.
(Caitlin's Mother - Ivanhoe Grammar School – 2009)
J'ai contacté AFX car je cherchais une école pour mon fils de 16 ans. AFX m'a répondu très rapidement, m'a proposé une école qui correspondait à ce que nous cherchions et s'est chargé de tous les papiers (inscriptions, etc....). J'ai eu un très bon contact avec AFX et je ne peux que les recommander. Merci Vinciane pour votre gentillesse et votre compétence.
(Maman de Paul – 2010)
D' Australie est un pays formidable dont je garde un excellent souvenir. Cinq semaines c'est un peu court. Je serais bien resté 3 mois.
(Victor-Emmanuel - Garches , 2000)
Hugh had a wonderful time in France. The family he stayed with was perfect for him and he experienced the true European family Christmas and New Year while he was there. They looked after him very well and made his time in France very happy and productive. The school he went to also was excellent for him -- he was very happy there and made many friends with both the staff and students in his classes. His French has improved amazingly -- he went away with school-boy French and has come home fluent (and with the argot as well!). We are so pleased with the whole experience (and, of course, very proud of Hugh). We were attracted to AFX because it seemed more personal that the bigger exchange companies... and you were able to provide the flexibility with dates that Hugh needed. It seems that you put a lot of effort into finding a family that would be good for Hugh and that certainly paid off -- Hugh got on very well with his family and had a very successful time in France. We also appreciated your flexibility in finding times to meet Hugh (at Mt Buller) and us (in Sydney). We have nothing but good experience with you. Thank you for all you did to make Hugh's exchange so successful.
(Hugh's father - Geelong Grammar School - 2008)
We wanted to write to express our thanks for the wonderful experience Jordan has had through the AFX exchange program both hosting and visiting. She has just returned from her 5 week stay and had a fantastic time. She and her host sister have become good friends and I think it is a relationship that will endure. The host family went out of their way to make sure she got to see and do as much as possible during her stay and she had some great experiences. The extended family also welcomed her over the Christmas period which was very comforting for us. She got to have a white Christmas which we are envious of. I know matching host families and children must be a very difficult job for you, but in this instance I think you certainly got it right! Jordan was not homesick at any stage and felt she was part of the family in every way. She has also developed independence and confidence during the experience which is an added bonus I had not considered. As an apprehensive mother thank you also for your patience and prompt attention to all my questions.
I think the entire exchange was very well organised and I felt confident that I could always contact someone from AFX if I had any concerns. Once again, sincere thanks to you both and all the best for 2009.
(Jordan – Ivanhoe Girls Grammar - 2008)
Isabelle is having a fantastic time with her family. They seem to be getting along really well and she does not appear to have been at all homesick. Her French has improved greatly and she seems to be understanding everything now except for the occasional word. She spoke to her Geography class a few days ago about the water restrictions in Australia as they are studying water at the moment. I think that you have found her a really wonderful family - such a positive experience for her.
(Isabelle's Mother - Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School - Melbourne, 2008)
I know that this message is way overdue, but I'd just like to thank you all very very much for providing me with an amazing exchange experience.
The ......... family was beyond what I'd hoped for. We got on incredibly well and I felt really well looked after the whole time. They took me on a tour of the Loire chateaux as well as a four-day trip to Rome, which was incredible. The hardest part of the whole five weeks was saying goodbye to the family at the very end!
During those five short weeks, I collected memories that I will never, ever forget and felt truly independent for the first time in my life. As well as improving my French, I feel that I'm now a more confident person as a result of the exchange and now I'm looking forward to finishing school instead of being terrified of leaving my little world. And most importantly, I've made friends in France that I hope I can visit again and again!
Thank you a million times for matching me up with such a beautiful family in such a gorgeous part of France. I hope that you continue to provide students with unforgettable exchanges like mine in the future.
(Jess - Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School - Melbourne, 2008)
Je tenais à vous remercier pour l'échange que vous nous avez permis de concrétiser entre Carole et Eliza! Carole a été reçue formidablement à Melbourne par une famille charmante et je crois qu'elle a été appréciée dans cette famille ! Ils l'ont emmenée en WE à Sydney, à Sorrento et dans les montagnes aux alentours de Melbourne! Du coup nous avons mis un point d'honneur à ce qu'Eliza garde un super souvenir de son voyage, avec un programme chargé. Nous avons eu la chance d'avoir une jeune fille adorable, gaie, chaleureuse, avec de l'humour, s'intégrant partout, chantant dans la maison ... bref que du bonheur !
(Maman de Carole – Paris - 2008)
Adrien est rentré ce soir. Son séjour s'est merveilleusement bien passé et nous tenons à vous en remercier. Sa famille a été particulièrement accueillante et généreuse pour lui, bien au delà du minimum que nous pouvions attendre. Les résultats que nous espérions de ce séjour semblent atteints en tous points; Que ce soit pour l'apprentissage de l'anglais, pour la découverte d'une autre culture et d'un autre pays, mais aussi pour l'ouverture vers un fonctionnement de vie différent. Adrien en revient dynamisé, avec le sentiment que l'on peut réussir et qu'il appartient à chacun de travailler pour son avenir. Nous verrons si cela porte ses fruits à plus long terme ! Isabel doit venir en France le 1er décembre et nous l'attendons déjà avec impatience.
(Parents d'Adrien – Sceaux - 2007)
We have had a wonderful 5 weeks with Thibault. He was the perfect guest and exchange. Stefan and Thibault got on extremely well and he really just became one of our family. There is non doubt that the relationship will continue. We had a teary goodbye!!
(Stefan's parents – Camberwell Grammar School - 2007)
Thank you so much to Ben at AFX for organising our French exchange. My daughter spent a wonderful few weeks in Paris over Christmas 2006 and the family you carefully selected were perfect. She was welcomed into her French family and enjoyed home life, school life and of course the culture, history, shopping and sightseeing! Her French went to great lengths to make her stay memorable and her improved French language skills since she returned have been reflected in her exams results. She is now saving up to return to France as soon as she can at the end of Year 12, and it's lovely that she has a family waiting there for her. We have just welcomed her French sister who is staying with us in Melbourne for five weeks and look forward to reciprocating a fantastic experience.
(Kathryn - Melbourne , 2006)
My exchange was extremely rewarding! As well as gaining more confidence with my French, I gained more confidence in myself, and really enjoyed the opportunity of immersing myself in the French culture.
(Jessie - Melbourne , 2006 )
Je voulais simplement vous dire que Frédéric est revenu emballé par son séjour à Melbourne et rêve d'y retourner...
(Frédéric - Versailles , 2006
Marie sadly left today at 2pm. We miss her already. She had become part of our family and even our dog, Calvin, loved her. She had a wonderful time here. She saw many sights of Sydney, the South Coast, a bit of Canberra and went skiing at Perisher. She absolutely loved Oxley College and remarked of how the school was very friendly and accepting of her. She made many friends and was invited to many parties, dinners etc. We even celebrated her birthday here and she was thrilled with their Aussie gifts. As for Theodora, she has made a life long friend, not only with Marie, but with the other French girls- Pauline and Margaux. I wish to thank you and your company for all you have done. It was an enriching experience for both girls- and the girls were a perfect match. Theodora cannot wait to go to France in December.
(Marie and Theodora - Oxley College - 2006
Just a quick word to tell you that my time in France with Florence and her family was fantastic. Florence and I got on very well when she was in Australia so I was very positive about going to her place - her family were very nice also.
(Genevieve - Melbourne , 2005
Je tenais juste a vous remerciez de m'avoir trouve une famille aussi gentille ,j'ai fait un bon voyage et je suis bien arrivée en Australie.
(Aurélie - Fontenay-aux-Roses , 2005)
Enfin un petit mot pour vous dire que Perrine est enchantée de son séjour en Australie.....La preuve: elle veut que l'on vive là bas!Merci à vous pour l'expérience exceptionnelle qu'elle vit.
( Perrine - Montesson , 2005)
Hi, merci beaucoup pour tous votre travail! mon correspondant est super sympa et je rigole beaucoup avec lui! je m entends de même très bien avec tous le monde dans la famille! Que demander de mieux?! je passe de très bonnes vacances. merci beaucoup.
(Hugo - Paris , 2005
A genuinely safe, cost effective method of enhancing your child's ability with a foreign language.
(Jeff parent - Melbourne , 2004)
I was very happy that the exchange was two-way so what that my son knew the boy he was going to stay with and that if there was a problem at any time there was someone available who spoke the native language. The matching of the students was very well done and they will remain friends for years after. Thank you Ben for organising it.
(Helen- Melbourne , 2004)
I immensely enjoyed my stay in France and also having my exchange student stay with me. AFX did a wonderful job in pairing up the students. It was noticeable that the others were also matched well. The exchange program is great if you want to further your French, make lots of friends and have a great time. Thank you
(Hugh - Melbourne , 2004)
I went to France for six weeks and I had a great time. My French has improved dramatically as I have gone from being an average student to the best in my class! Thank you.
(Jackie - Sydney , 2004)
The best thing about my exchange was that it was to Paris. I did a lot of research for my exchange and AFX was the only organisation that offered Paris as a destination. The shopping was great and my French has really improved - Merci beaucoup!
(Lucy - Melbourne , 2004)
Being met at Paris airport, entertained for the next three hours and put on a rural train was fantastic. A real relief to know your daughter was safe and in good hands.
(Leanne parent - Melbourne , 2004)
Le voyage en Australie s'est bien passé. La famille, l'école, les activités proposées étaient très bien. J'ai pu parler anglais avec la famille....J'ai hâte de revoir Laura ... avec qui j'ai passé de très bons moments. Ce voyage en Australie m'a laissé de très bons souvenirs.
(Isabelle - Paris , 2004)
Mon séjour en Australie a été très agréable, ma famille était très gentille et m'a fait découvrir Sydney. Je suis vraiment ravie d'être partie et j'attends avec impatience la venue de Megan.
(Elodie - Combs-la-Ville , 2003)
It's reassuring to know that my daughter was greeted at the airport in Paris. I was also impressed with the contact between AFX and the students. Thanks to AFX for a very reasonably price exchange experience to Paris.
(Jane's parents - Melbourne , 2002)
Je voulais vous remercier pour m'avoir permis de faire cette magnifique aventure, qui d'ailleurs m'a été très bénéfique... j ai passé des jours merveilleux en compagnie de ma famille Australienne.
(Anaïs - Boulogne-Billancourt , 2002)
Je tenais à vous remercier pour mon séjour en Australie : c'était génial et très intéressant,ma famille était sympa,l'école beaucoup plus intéressante qu'en France... bref, c'était un rêve!.Merci encore
(Stéphanie - Boulogne , 2002)
La famille m'a très bien reçu grâce à eux j'ai découvert beaucoup de choses j'ai pu voyager aller sur la barrière de corail etc...faire du ski - L'école était géniale je me suis fait beaucoup d'amis dont j'ai gardé l'adresse. J'ai bien fait la fête,j'allais souvent à des soires. Je pense avoir bien amélioré mon anglais. Je rêve de vivre une année en Australie. Merci pour l'organisation. J'ai envoyé un mail à Christopher nous l'attendons en France a Noël.
(Augustin - Paris , 2000)
Mon voyage en Australie s'est super bien passé. C'est un pays magnifique dont les habitants sont très accueillants. J'y ai découvert des tas de choses et l'école, même si elle n'est pas mixte, est très intéressante notamment les cours d'arts (mais ça reste toujours de l'école !!).Je me suis très bien entendu avec mon correspondant et j'attends avec impatience qu'il vienne en France.
(Alexis - Brunoy , 2001)
Je suis très content de mon séjour à Melbourne et j'aimerai bien y retourner. Ma famille était sympa et nous restons amis.
(Eric - Neuilly-sur-Seine, 2001)