1. The spirit and organization of AFS student exchanges are deeply rooted in 19th century Europe where they were foreshadowed by the apprenticeships of the Middle Ages.

2. Volunteer ambulance drivers from two world wars brought their foreign experience home to America with them and created what is now a worldwide network of international "student exchanges." whose dynamic is based on family life with its ability to adopt "strangers"---from the newborn to the outsider.